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Barcelona's Paulinho shrugs off critics ahead of El Clasico

Paulinho insists he has never been worried about what the critics say, with the previously under-fire midfielder having helped Barcelona to move 11 points clear of Real Madrid in the Liga table going into Saturday's Clasico.

The Brazil international was the first signing made by Barca following the departure of his compatriot Neymar in a world-record €222 million move to Paris Saint-Germain, with many Blaugrana fans underwhelmed at his arrival.

Paulinho was then widely mocked after stumbling over tricks in his presentation following the completion of a surprise €40m switch from Guangzhou Evergrande.

But after hitting six league goals to be the most prolific midfielder in La Liga this season, striking a brace in a 4-0 defeat of Deportivo La Coruna last time out, Paulinho has shrugged off stinging criticism ahead of Saturday's trip to the Santiago Bernabeu.