A former Chelsea player claimed he could have been better than Cristiano Ronaldo before embarking on a new career in the adult entertainment industry. Fabio Paim, who had a short stint at Stamford Bridge in 2008 but never broke into the first team, has taken a dramatic turn since his days on the pitch.
The former winger, who came through at Sporting alongside Ronaldo, went on to play for a host of minor teams in many different countries. He has been without a club since 2020, when he left Polish fifth-tier side LZS Starowice after making six appearances. Since hanging up his boots, Paim has been making headlines after taking up a surprising new career.
Last year, the 37-year-old debuted in an adult movie that was released on Telegram for £65. Diana Melancia, who starred alongside Paim, was left impressed with his natural ability in front of the camera.
“We thought he was going to be nervous and it wouldn’t work out, but Fabio turned out to be a lion,” she revealed to The Sun.
“He was good at football and he is good at porn. He’s going to be a success. I hope this film is the first of many with Paim.”
Paim reflected on his newfound role with enthusiasm, saying: “It’s difficult being in front of the cameras but I did it and I think I have got talent for this.
“I got a lot of pleasure and made two dreams come true, making the film and being with two spectacular women.”
Paim turned heads in 2023 when he sensationally claimed that he could have outshone Ronaldo with the right mindset.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by PT Clipes, he boldly stated: “Cristiano Ronaldo should offer me one of his Ballon d’Ors. I went to Sporting when I was seven years old, I grew up there.
“They were years of glory in which I won everything I could. I didn’t reach where I could have reached, but I marked a generation. If people don’t forget it’s because I marked them.
“I said when I was happy that I thought Cristiano Ronaldo could offer me a Ballon d’Or, but it was with humility. If I had half of Cristiano’s head, it wouldn’t be him and Messi.
“It would be me, him and Messi and maybe he wouldn’t have won the Ballon d’Ors that he has. Maybe one of them was mine.”