João Simões

Born in Portimão, Algarve, Simões started his development at Portimonense and finished it at Sporting CP. On 11 February 2021, he signed a youth contract with the latter, agreeing to a professional one in February 2023. Simões was promoted to the reserve team in the summer of 2024. He made his debut for the main squad on 22 November, as a substitute in a 6–0 win against Amarante in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal. Simões played his first match in the Primeira Liga on 14 December 2024, starting and featuring 80 minutes of the 3–2 home victory over Boavista. He scored his first goal in the competition the following 25 January in a 2–0 defeat of Nacional also at the Estádio José Alvalade, and finished the season with nine appearances for the champions (18 in all competitions including five in the UEFA Champions League); subsequently, he renewed his link until 2030.

Simões represented Portugal at the 2023 and 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championships. In the latter edition of the tournament, he captained his side to the final where they lost 3–0 to Italy. On 10 October 2025, aged 18, Simões earned his first cap for the under-21 side, in a 3–0 home win over Bulgaria in the 2027 UEFA European Championship qualifiers. He scored his first goal the following 27 March, closing the 4–0 victory in Azerbaijan in the same stage.

As of match played 15 April 2026

Sporting CP

Primeira Liga: 2024–25 Taça de Portugal: 2024–25 Portugal U17

UEFA European Under-17 Championship runner-up: 2024