Joao Pedro is a Brazilian professional footballer. He is famous as a forward for Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion. His journey began with Fluminense, where he showcased his talent in 29 matches, netting 5 goals. Afterward, he ventured to Watford, amassing 104 appearances and scoring 23 goals for the team. On May 5, 2023, Brighton & Hove Albion secured Pedro's services from Watford. His impressive skills earned him a call-up to the Brazil Olympic Football Team on August 19, 2023, leading to his debut as an 84th-minute substitute in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Morocco.
Joao Pedro, the Brazilian forward for Brighton & Hove Albion, started at Fluminense (29 games, 5 goals), moved to Watford (104 games, 23 goals), joined Brighton on May 5, 2023, and debuted for Brazil's Olympic Team on August 19, 2023, in a 1-0 loss to Morocco.
Joao Pedro, born on September 26, 2001, with the birth name Joao Pedro Junqueira Jesus, originates from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. He holds Brazilian nationality and is of Brazilian-African ethnicity. He is the son of his father, José Joao de Jesus, and his mother, Flavia Junqueira. His father is better recognized by the nickname Chicão, and he had a career as a professional footballer with Botafogo. Chicão faced a legal sentence of sixteen years in 2002, serving eight, for his involvement as an accessory to a murder. It's worth noting that Chicão and Junqueira had already gone their separate ways by the time of his imprisonment. Pedro received his primary education in Preto.
Joao Pedro's football journey began when he joined Fluminense's youth system, prompting his mother to relocate with him to Rio de Janeiro. While progressing through the club's academy, he underwent a positional transformation from defensive midfielder to attacking midfielder, and ultimately, a striker. Remarkably, Premier League outfit Watford secured his services in January 2020, even before he had made his senior debut, signing him on a five-year contract. His senior debut for Fluminense came on 28 March 2019, as a stoppage-time substitute in a match against arch-rivals Flamengo.
Subsequently, he made his league debut in April and embarked on an impressive scoring streak, netting seven goals in just four games, which included a memorable hat trick. Joao Pedro continued to shine at Watford, scoring his first goal on his 19th birthday and making a significant impact with notable goals against clubs like Manchester United and Newcastle United. In May 2023, Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion acquired him from Watford in a club-record transfer deal reportedly worth £30 million. In his debut for Brighton, he showcased his talent by scoring from the spot and continued to impress by netting two more from penalties in a Europa League match against AEK Athens, marking the club's first-ever European goals.
Internationally, on August 19, 2023, Joao Pedro received a call-up to join the Brazil Olympic Football Team. He made his debut for the Brazilian national team when he came on as an 84th-minute substitute during a 1–0 defeat against Morocco.
Joao Pedro is a married man to his beautiful wife, Carol Assis. The duo tied the knot in December 18th, 2020, in England. Carol Assis, a thriving YouTuber, influencer, and model, expressed her joy on this significant occasion, stating, "I have no words for this moment, it was something I've dreamed/imagined my whole life and it's coming true with the best person God could put in my way. A new phase begins and this is just the beginning of a lifetime together. I love you!" As of now, there is no details about their relationship.
Previously, Joao Pedro was in a relationship with Brazilian actress Mel Maia, also known as Melissa Maia. Mia paid him a visit in London, and the two hung out together. But with the legal age of consent being sixteen, she has since returned to Brazil and will not be back soon. A spokesperson for Watford emphasized that both Joao and his girlfriend are fully cognizant of the legal and cultural distinctions between the UK and Brazil. Following their breakup, both parties have deleted the photos and moved forward with their respective lives.
Joao Pedro, the accomplished professional footballer, boasts an estimated net worth of £5 million in 2023. His transfer to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion from Watford on May 5, 2023, marked a significant move, with the exact fee undisclosed but widely reported to be approximately a club-record £30 million. His current annual salary with Brighton & Hove Albion exceeds £1,820,000, and his market value stands at €32 million as of June 1, 2023, marking his highest market value to date. Joao Pedro's primary source of wealth derives from his lucrative football career, including contracts and bonuses, enabling him to maintain a comfortable and stylish lifestyle.
Joao Pedro is not only a talented footballer but also possesses striking physical attributes. Standing at an impressive height of 1.82 meters (6 feet) and maintaining a well-balanced bodyweight of 70 kilograms (154 pounds), his athletic physique is complemented by an inked tattoo bearing the word "Predestinado," a testament to his close bond with his step-father. With piercing dark brown eyes and jet-black hair, Joao Pedro pays meticulous attention to his fitness and dietary choices, reflecting his commitment to maintaining his remarkable appearance.
Joao Pedro's football odyssey commenced at the tender age of four, thanks to the support of his mother who provided him with the tools to play. It was with Fluminense's club academy that he took his first steps into organized football. At the outset, the beautiful game was not only Pedro's aspiration but also his mother's, prompting their relocation to Rio de Janeiro as he embarked on his journey within Fluminense's youth system.
Joao Pedro, the Brazilian professional footballer, predominantly operates as a forward for Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion. His football evolution within Fluminense's youth system saw him transition from a defensive midfielder, following in the footsteps of his father, to an attacking midfielder, ultimately finding his niche as a striker.
Joao Pedro's upbringing was shaped by the unwavering support of his single mother, Flavia Junqueira, who balanced her studies at the university with work to nurture her son's aspirations. During his formative years, Joao spent much of his time in the care of his grandmother, who ensured he attended school during the day and then accompanied him to her home after classes. It was in these early days that he would play with everyday objects like onions, oranges, and lemons, showcasing his innate love for the game. Joao Pedro's football journey was also influenced by his father, Joao Pedro Junqueira Jesus, a footballer who, despite facing a 16-year sentence as an accomplice to murder, remained steadfast in his commitment to supporting his son's football dreams.
Joao is a happily married man, having tied the knot with his wife, Carol Assis, in England on December 18, 2020, where they reside. As the sole child and the shining star of his family, Joao's decision to marry at a relatively young age comes as no surprise. Carol, a YouTuber, digital influencer, and model by profession adds her own vibrant dimension to their partnership.
Joao Pedro, the prolific goal-scorer, has adorned his body with a collection of tattoos, each serving as a poignant marker of pivotal moments in his career. These inkings are spread across various parts of his physique, including his leg, chest, hand, and arm. Notably, he has the word "predestinado" etched onto his neck, a tattoo shared with his late stepfather, Carlos Junior, who passed away in 2022. These tattoos stand as tangible reminders of the milestones he's achieved and the dedication he's poured into both his football journey and life as a whole.