# Paolo Medina

Paolo Medina Etienne (born 28 May 1999) is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Liga I club Unirea Slobozia.

## Club career
### Early career

Born in Orizaba in the Mexican state of Veracruz, Medina moved to Spain at the age of two, joining the academy of Alcobendas. After a couple of seasons he joined Real Madrid, where he initially started as a winger, before moving to full-back. During his time with Los Blancos he struggled with injury, suffering a five-month lay off at the end of 2016.
Despite this, he was seen as a very highly rated prospect in the Real Madrid academy, and in October 2016 he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 1999 worldwide. He was also nominated for the 2017 Golden Boy - a prestigious award given by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport to the best young footballer playing in Europe.
At the conclusion of the 2016–17 season, Medina announced his departure from Real Madrid, before joining Portuguese side Benfica shortly after. This move was seen as somewhat of a shock in media, given Medina's potential, but the defender was quoted as saying "Many will think that it is a step backwards, but I really see the opposite... I think it has been the best decision I could have made in my career" upon signing.

### Return to Mexico

His spell with Benfica did not last long, and after just one season, he had returned to Mexico, going on trial with Monterrey. He signed a contract with Monterrey in July 2018, but joined fellow-Liga MX side Morelia a year later. Having not started in the first half of the season, Medina was handed his league debut by manager Pablo Guede in early 2020, starting in a 1–0 loss to Deportivo Toluca. However, by March he had fallen out of favour again, before the season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico.

### Later career

In August 2020, Greek Super League side Panetolikos announced the signing of Medina on a three-year contract. However after just a year, he had fallen out of favour with manager Giannis Anastasiou, and was linked with a move to Xanthi. Instead he returned to Spain, where he joined Primera División RFEF side Logroñés on a one-year deal.
Having not renewed his contract with Logroñés, Medina moved to Romania, signing with Hermannstadt. After two seasons with Hermannstadt, he mutually agreed to terminate his contract with the club. He joined newly-promoted Unirea Slobozia in May 2024.

## International career

Medina represented Mexico on at least one occasion at under-16 level, scoring in a 3–1 win against Turkey in the 2015 edition of the Montaigu Tournament. He played in at least one game with the under-18 team two years later, in 2017.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of 10 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Morelia | 2019–20 | Liga MX | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 |
| Panetolikos | 2020–21 | Super League Greece | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 0 |
| Logroñés | 2021–22 | Primera División RFEF | 23 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 23 | 0 |
| Hermannstadt | 2022–23 | Liga I | 11 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 15 | 0 |
| Hermannstadt | 2023–24 | Liga I | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 0 |
| Hermannstadt | Total | Total | 25 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| Unirea Slobozia | 2024–25 | Liga I | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 19 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 85 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 0 |
* ↑ Includes Copa MX, Greek Cup and Cupa României