🇧🇷 The Full Feature on Igor Paixão & His Leeds United Link
- Early Life & Background
Igor Guilherme Barbosa da Paixão was born on June 28, 2000, in Macapá, the capital of Brazil’s remote Amapá state . His roots lie in a Quilombola community, known for tight-knit cultural identity and resilience . Despite growing up far from the country’s traditional football hubs, he was discovered by Coritiba’s youth system at age 14 and signed professionally in 2019 .
At 18, he debuted for Coritiba and subsequently spent a loan at Londrina, helping them achieve promotion to Brazil’s Serie B . During his time at Coritiba he amassed 95 appearances, scoring 21 goals across competitions before earning a move to Europe .
- Arrival & Rise at Feyenoord (2022–Present)
🔄 Transfer & Contract
Paixão moved to Feyenoord in August 2022 on a five‑year contract through summer 2027, for a reported fee of around €5 million (~£4 m) .
🏆 2022–23 Season
Eredivisie Champions — Feyenoord ended a six-year wait .
Paixão made 26 league appearances, scoring 7 goals and contributing decisively to title success .
📈 2023–24 Season
31 league matches, 9 goals, and 4 assists .
Scored twice in a historic 6‑0 win over Ajax — the worst league defeat in Ajax’s history .
Scored the sole goal in the KNVB Cup Final vs NEC .
Won Eredivisie Goal of the Year for a long‑range blast vs Utrecht .
Added the Johan Cruyff Shield in 2024 .
🚀 2024–25 Season (Breakthrough)
Featured in 47 matches, scoring 18 goals across Eredivisie, Champions League (11 apps), KNVB Cup, and Dutch Super Cup .
Recorded 19 assists, giving him 37 total goal involvements (goals + assists) in the campaign .
Clinched the Eredivisie Golden Boot (16 league goals) and was voted Dutch Footballer of the Year .
In Europe, danced past Kyle Walker in Feyenoord’s shock Champions League win over AC Milan — topping dribbles, shots, ball recoveries, and creating chances .
🎯 Technical & Mental Traits
Paixão is known for his:
Explosive dribbling and pace, especially when cutting inside on his left foot.
Finishing from tight angles and intelligent creative passing.
High defensive work‑rate, pressing from the front and tracking back, uncommon for traditional Brazilian flair players .
Football IQ: learned Feyenoord’s system rapidly despite language barriers, praised by coaches like Arne Slot as quick to adapt .
- International Recognition
In August 2023, became the first player from Amapá to be called up to Brazil’s under‑23 squad, debuting in a friendly vs Morocco .
In February 2025, included in Brazil’s 52-man preliminary senior squad, a first such recognition .
- The Transfer Saga: Leeds United & Other Suitors
🔍 Clubs Interested
Premier League: Leeds United, Aston Villa, Brighton, Tottenham, Newcastle, Liverpool .
Others: Marseille (made and saw bid laughed off) and Napoli monitoring .
Leeds United’s Approach
As of July 16–17, 2025, Leeds officials met Paixão’s agents, outlining their project, coaching plan, and where he would fit in their set-up .
Despite a recent muscle injury sidelining him for several weeks and delaying Feyenoord’s pre‑season start, Leeds have remained undeterred and are continuing scouting and negotiation efforts .
Fee & Contract
Feyenoord reportedly seeking €40M (~£33–34M) fee .
Ligue1’s Marseille bid likely below valuation; Leeds’ Premier League financial muscle makes signing more feasible .
- Why Leeds United Should Sign Him
Tactical Fit under Farke
Adds direct width, flair, and pace — ideal for fast transitions and inverted winger roles.
Mixed with creative end-product — 37 goal contributions in 2024–25 alone.
A proximate stylistic fit to Raphinha, whom Paixão admires, and he mirrors in ball control & dribbling instincts .
Demographic & Value
At 25, he’s entering his prime, offering resale potential.
His wage at Feyenoord (~£14k/week) is modest; upgrade at Leeds would still be sustainable .
A reasonable fee relative to his output; his goal involvement stats speak for themselves.
Risk Management
While the injury is a concern, comparing with Luis Sinisterra’s 2022 Leeds move, Paixão’s profile and recovery outlook seem more favourable .
Leeds might accept a delayed start to leverage his long-term impact, similar to how Raphinha’s delayed debut still resulted in success .
- Season-by-Season Performance Overview
Season Appearances Goals Assists Achievements
Coritiba (2019–22) ~95 21 ~10 Established as promising Brazilian winger
Londrina (loan 2020) 31 4 — Promotion to Serie B
Feyenoord 2022–23 37 9 6 Eredivisie title
Feyenoord 2023–24 45 12 ~5 KNVB Cup, Shield, Goal of the Year
Feyenoord 2024–25 47 18 19 Golden Boot, Footballer of the Year
- Fan & Expert Praise
Robin van Persie and Arne Slot have praised his intelligence, adaptability, and work rate; RvP likened him to a rare modern complete winger ready for major steps .
Rob Jacobs: “He would make Liverpool stronger… better than Cody Gakpo” .
Feyenoord supporters voted him Player of the Week after matches where he recorded hat-tricks or key assists — proof of consistent fan appreciation .
- The Realities of His Move & Final Thought
✅ Timing: Leeds’ recruitment, led by Farke, aims to integrate players early into pre-season. Paixão’s injury may postpone involvement, but Leeds have shown willingness to negotiate on timing .
✅ Competition: While rivals in Premier League and Europe exist, Feyenoord’s firm asking price and Paixão’s preference for Premier League football increase Leeds’ plausibility.
✅ Fit: He brings a combination of flair and end-product, with strong defensive work ethic — a rare profile that suits both public expectations and Farke’s attacking philosophy.
If Leeds secure the deal, Igor Paixão would represent one of the most exciting and impactful signings they could make this summer — a player capable of rewriting narratives at Elland Road.