João Pedro is a Brazilian professional footballer born in 2001, known for his role as a striker.
He began his professional career at Fluminense F.C., where he made his debut in 2019.
In 2020, João Pedro signed with Watford F.C., marking his entry into European football.
Biography
Early Life
João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus was born in 2001 in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. He grew up in a challenging environment, as his father, José João de Jesus, known as Chicão, was a former professional footballer who faced legal troubles, serving eight years in prison for being an accessory to murder. Despite these difficulties, João Pedro's mother, Flavia Junqueira, supported his passion for football, moving with him to Rio de Janeiro to pursue his dreams.
Career
João Pedro began his football journey in the youth system of Fluminense F.C., where he showcased his versatility by transitioning from a defensive midfielder to an attacking midfielder and eventually to a striker. He made his senior debut for Fluminense on March 24, 2019, scoring a goal against Flamengo in the Campeonato Carioca. His impressive performances caught the attention of Watford F.C., which signed him in January 2020. After a delayed start due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he scored his first goal for Watford on his 19th birthday, marking the beginning of his professional career in Europe.
In 2023, João Pedro made his mark on the international stage, being called up to the Brazil national under-23 team and later debuting for the senior national team. He currently plays for Chelsea F.C., having signed with them in 2025, and continues to represent Brazil, contributing to the team's efforts in international competitions.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
On 19 August 2023, Pedro was called up for the Brazil Olympic football team. Pedro would make his Brazil debut as an 84th-minute substitute in a 1–0 loss against Morocco. Three months later on 6 November 2023, Pedro was called up to the Brazil senior team for the first time. On 16 November, Pedro would make his debut for the Seleção after coming on as a substitute for the injured Vinícius Júnior at the 27th-minute mark in a 2–1 loss to Colombia.
Club
As of match played 12 September 2026
International
As of match played 31 March 2026
Fluminense
João Pedro joined the youth system of Fluminense, and his mother moved with him to Rio de Janeiro. As he moved through the club's academy, he switched from being a defensive midfielder to an attacking midfielder, and then a striker. On 19 October 2018, before he had even made his senior debut, EFL Championship club Watford reached an agreement on a deal to sign João Pedro in January 2020 on a five-year contract. On 24 March 2019, João Pedro made his senior professional debut for Fluminense, coming on as a second-half substitute and scoring in the 72nd minute of a 3–2 defeat against rivals Flamengo in the Campeonato Carioca. Three days later, on 27 March, he made another appearance against Flamengo as a stoppage-time substitute in the Taça Rio semi-final (a 2–1 loss). A month later on 29 April, he made his league debut as a late substitute in the 1–0 loss to Goiás. He then proceeded to fire seven goals in his next four games, including a hat trick in a 4–1 Copa Sudamericana victory against Atlético Nacional.
Watford
On 30 October 2019, it was announced that he had received his UK work permit and would sign for Watford in January 2020. Initially delayed by the world-wide Covid shutdowns, Pedro scored his first goal for Watford in a 1–0 win over Luton Town on 26 September 2020, his 19th birthday. On 16 October 2020, he scored a long-range goal in a win over Derby County. Pedro scored his first Premier League goal against Manchester United on 20…
- Club
- Brazil national under-23 football team (2023–2023)
- Club
- Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. (2023–2025)
- Club
- Brazil men's national football team (2023–)
- Club
- Chelsea F.C. (2025–)
- National team
- Brazil
- Club
- Fluminense F.C. (2019–2020)
- Club
- Watford F.C. (2020–2023)
Personal
João Pedro was born in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo to parents Flavia Junqueira and José João de Jesus, more commonly known as Chicão, a former professional footballer who most notably played for Botafogo-SP. Chicão was jailed for sixteen years in 2002, serving eight, for being an accessory to murder. By the time of Chicão's imprisonment, he and Junqueira had separated.
Clubs
Played together with
Aaron AnselminoChelsea F.C. · 2024
Aaron ConnollyBrighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Aaron HughesBrighton & Hove Albion F.C. · 2014–2015
Abdoulaye DoucouréWatford F.C. · 2016–2016
Abdul RazakBrighton & Hove Albion F.C. · 2012–2012
Abel BragaBrazil men's national football team · 1978–1978- Abel BragaFluminense F.C. · 1971–1976
Abel HernándezFluminense F.C. · 2021–2022- Acácio Cordeiro BarretoBrazil men's national football team · 1986–1990
Adalberto PeñarandaWatford F.C. · 2016–2016- Adalberto PeñarandaWatford F.C. · 2016
Adam JohnsonWatford F.C. · 2007–2007
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Chelsea and the Brazil national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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