Brazil's Paulinho swaps the World Cup and Barcelona for the Chinese Super League this week as he returns on loan to rescue Guangzhou Evergrande's flagging bid for an eighth straight title.
The powerful midfielder, last seen in action in the World Cup quarter-finals, received a rapturous welcome from Evergrande fans as he made his surprise return after lifting the Spanish title with Barcelona.
Paulinho, 29, spent two years with Evergrande before going to Barcelona last season and Fabio Cannavaro's team are in dire need of his dynamism, lying fifth as the CSL resumes on Tuesday following its mid-season break.
Some of the foreigners in the Chinese Super League are reportedly among the world's best-paid players but Paulinho said he chose to return to because standards were "gradually improving."
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