8 Interesting Facts Illuminating the Journey of João Pedro
- Think Football Ideas
- Jul 2
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 6
Full Name: João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus
Date of Birth: 26 September 2001
Place of Birth: Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
Height: 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s): Striker
Current Club: Chelsea FC
Jersey Number: 20
‘Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history,’ João Pedro said shortly after putting pen to paper at Chelsea. ‘They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now. So I am excited to join, and you know when you are a [top club] player, you must think one thing - win.’
That hunger has followed João Pedro every step of the way, from the dusty pitches of Brazil to the floodlit stages of European football. He’s already carved out a career full of raw talent, reinvention, and resilience. A forward with flair and fire, João’s journey hasn’t always been smooth, but it’s precisely that edge, that ability to evolve, that sets him apart.
So how did a boy from Ribeirão Preto rise through the ranks to become one of football’s most promising attackers? Let’s rewind the story, chapter by chapter, moment by moment.
Here Are 8 Interesting Facts About João Pedro
1. His Early Football Career Started At Fluminense's Academy
Born in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, João Pedro's football story kicked off in the youth academy of Brazilian giants Fluminense. He was only a boy with raw talent and a big dream when he arrived in Rio de Janeiro, accompanied by his mother, Flavia.
At Fluminense, surrounded by a culture of flair and attacking intent, João began to blossom. The club is known for producing ballers, and Pedro quickly showed he belonged to that legacy as his natural ability stood out in every age group he passed through.
2. He Transitioned From Defensive To Attacking Midfielder, Then To Striker
Interestingly, João Pedro wasn’t always the ruthless forward we know today. His early days saw him sitting deep as a defensive midfielder, doing the gritty work. But coaches at Fluminense noticed something more. An eye for space, a slick first touch, and a nose for goal.
He was nudged further forward, evolving into an attacking midfielder, and finally, a striker. That transformation was tactical as it unlocked his instinct, sharpened his killer edge, and shaped the forward Chelsea would one day splash big money on.
3. He Graduated To Fluminense's Senior Team And Thrived
João Pedro’s senior debut came on 28 March 2019, when he stepped onto the pitch during a high-octane derby against Flamengo in the Campeonato Carioca. A month later, on 29 April, he made his league bow against Goiás.
And then came the explosion. In his next four games, he rattled in seven goals, including a dazzling hat-trick against Atlético Nacional in the Copa Sudamericana. The kid was still a teenager, but the hype was real, and João Pedro was suddenly on every European scout's radar.
4. Watford Provided The Opportunity To Play On English Soil, Which He Grabbed With Both Hands
Even before his senior debut, Watford saw the spark. On 19 October 2018, the club secured an agreement to sign João Pedro in January 2020. The move became official once he received his UK work permit on 30 October 2019.
Despite COVID delays, he marked his arrival with a stunning debut season, including a birthday goal on 26 September 2020 against Luton Town. He played with flair, maturity, and a knack for scoring when it mattered. Four seasons, 109 appearances, and 24 goals later, João Pedro had left a mark in Hertfordshire.
5. His First Premier League Goal Was Against Man Utd
The 20th of November 2021 was a statement night. Facing Manchester United, one of English football’s biggest institutions, João Pedro netted his first-ever Premier League goal. But this wasn’t merely a number on the scoresheet.
He ran straight to the stands, dedicating the goal to his late stepfather, Carlos Junior. It was a deeply personal moment wrapped in the roar of Vicarage Road. It reminded everyone that, beyond the talent, João Pedro plays with heart.
6. João Pedro is The Son Of A Former Footballer, Chicão
Football runs deep in João Pedro’s DNA. His father, José João de Jesus, better known in Brazilian football circles as Chicão, once wore the Botafogo shirt with pride. But João’s journey wasn’t all stepovers and clear skies.
His early years came with challenges that would shape his character just as much as his craft. Raised primarily by his mother, João learned early what it meant to stand tall through tough moments. That quiet resilience, etched into his game, fuels the drive and maturity we see every time he steps onto the pitch.
‘Family is everything to me,’ Joao Pedro told Chelsea's official website. ‘Before I go onto the grass, I always kiss my tattoos. I have the names of my mother, Flavia, and my grandmother, Dalva, on my arms. I want to give them the best life possible because of what they did for me.
‘I had them done as soon as I could; it helps me keep them in mind. When I step on the pitch, of course, it’s because I love football, but also because I want to remember the people who have had my back. That’s always how I approach it.’
7. He Scored Brighton’s First-Ever European Goals
On 21 September 2023, João Pedro stepped into Brighton folklore. The club was playing in Europe for the first time, and Pedro was the man who delivered their first-ever continental goals, two nerveless penalties against AEK Athens in a dramatic 3–2 defeat.
But it didn’t stop there. Pedro bagged six goals in six Europa League group games, topping the scoring charts and firing Brighton into the last 16. For a club writing a new chapter, Pedro was holding the pen.
8. He Represents Brazil Internationally
On 19 August 2023, João Pedro earned his first Brazil Olympic team call-up. It was a proud nod for any Brazilian baller. Barely three months later, on 6 November, he cracked the senior squad for the first time.
And on 16 November, he made his full debut, stepping in for the injured Vinícius Júnior during a World Cup qualifier against Colombia.
The Selecão may be packed with attacking stars, but João Pedro’s rise into that illustrious yellow shirt shows how far he’s come, and how much higher he’s climbing.
Comments