João Palhinha

Sporting CP

2012–15: Early career

Born in Lisbon, Palhinha joined local Sporting CP's youth system in 2012, aged 17. He played his first game as a professional with the B team, coming on as a late substitute for fellow youth graduate Iuri Medeiros in a 3−2 home win against Portimonense in the Segunda Liga, on 3 February 2014; it was one of only two appearances during the season. Still in the second division, Palhinha scored his first senior goal on 4 April 2015, his header contributing to a 3−1 home victory over Leixões.

2015–20: Various loans and short return

From July 2015 to January 2017, Palhinha was loaned to Primeira Liga sides Moreirense and Belenenses, respectively, making his debut in the competition whilst with the former in a 0−2 home loss to Arouca where he played 22 minutes from the bench. He scored for the first time while at the service of the latter, against Vitória de Guimarães (1−1 away draw, 90 minutes played). Subsequently, returning to the Estádio José Alvalade, Palhinha made his competitive debut with the first team on 21 January 2017, starting in a 2−2 draw at Marítimo. He scored his first goals for them on 12 October, netting twice in a 4–2 away win over Oleiros in the Taça de Portugal. Palhinha spent the following two seasons on loan to Braga. He appeared in 76 competitive matches during his spell, winning the 2019–20 edition of the Taça da Liga and helping to a third-place finish in the same season, notably scoring…

Palhinha represented Portugal at under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels. He participated in the 2014 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where his team finished second. In March 2021, Palhinha was called up to the full side for the first time, for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan, Luxembourg and Serbia. He won his first cap in the match with the first adversary, replacing Rúben Neves late into the 1–0 victory in Turin. He scored his first goal in the same phase, closing the 3–1 away win over Luxembourg. Being selected for UEFA Euro 2020, Palhinha appeared against France in the group stage (2–2) and Belgium in the round of 16 (1–0 loss). In November 2022, he was named in the final squad for the World Cup finals in Qatar, playing all three group-phase matches in an eventual quarter-final exit to Morocco. Palhinha also made a 26-man squad for Euro 2024. After not featuring in Portugal's opening match against the Czech Republic, he started in the 3–0 victory over Turkey, being substituted by Neves at half-time. He made a further three appearances for the quarter-finalists. In May 2025, Palhinha was called to the UEFA Nations League Finals. He contributed two minutes for the champions, as a late replacement in the 2–1 defeat of hosts Germany in the semi-finals.

Club

As of match played 20 September 2026

International

As of match played 24 September 2026

As of match played 12 October 2021. Portugal score listed first, score column indicates score after each Palhinha goal.

Palhinha married singer Patrícia Palhares in 2021, with the couple fathering son João Maria (born October 2022). They separated in September 2024, while she was expecting a second child.