History of João Pedro (footballer, born 2001) in Timeline

João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus, known as João Pedro, is a Brazilian professional footballer. He plays as a forward for Chelsea, a Premier League club, and also represents the Brazil national team. As a forward, he contributes to the team's attacking plays and goal-scoring efforts. His career includes playing for both a prominent club and his national team, indicating a notable level of achievement in professional soccer.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 2001: João Pedro's Birth

In September 2001, João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus was born. He is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Chelsea and the Brazil national team.

2002: Chicão's Imprisonment

In 2002, João Pedro's father, Chicão, was jailed for sixteen years, serving eight, for being an accessory to murder. By the time of Chicão's imprisonment, he and Junqueira had separated.

October 2018: Agreement with Watford

In October 2018, before João Pedro had made his senior debut, EFL Championship club Watford reached an agreement to sign him in January 2020 on a five-year contract.

March 2019: Senior Debut for Fluminense

On March 28, 2019, João Pedro made his senior debut for Fluminense as a stoppage-time substitute in a 2–1 loss to arch-rivals Flamengo in the Campeonato Carioca.

October 2019: Receiving UK work permit

On 30 October 2019, it was announced that João Pedro had received his UK work permit and would sign for Watford in January 2020.

September 2020: First goal for Watford

In September 2020, João Pedro scored his first goal for Watford in a 1–0 win over Luton Town on 26 September 2020, which was his 19th birthday.

October 2020: Goal against Derby County

On 16 October 2020, João Pedro scored a long-range goal in a win over Derby County.

November 2021: First Premier League goal

On 20 November 2021, João Pedro scored his first Premier League goal against Manchester United and dedicated it to his late stepfather, Carlos Junior.

January 2022: Equaliser against Newcastle United

On 15 January 2022, João Pedro scored the equaliser against Newcastle United in the 88th minute, resulting in a 1–1 draw.

May 2023: Transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion

On 5 May 2023, Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed the acquisition of João Pedro from Watford for a club-record fee reported to be £30 million.

August 2023: Called up for Brazil Olympic team

On 19 August 2023, João Pedro was called up for the Brazil Olympic football team. He would make his Brazil debut as an 84th minute substitute in a 1–0 loss against Morocco.

November 2023: Called up to Brazil senior team

Three months prior to November 2023, on 6 November 2023, João Pedro was called up to the Brazil senior team for the first time. On 16 November, João Pedro made his debut for the Seleção after coming on as a substitute for the injured Vinícius Júnior in a 2–1 loss to Colombia.

August 2024: Winning goal against Manchester United

On 24 August 2024, João Pedro scored the winning goal in stoppage time of a 2–1 victory over Manchester United.

April 2025: Sent off against Brentford

On 19 April 2025, João Pedro was sent off for flicking his hand into Brentford defender Nathan Collins' face during a 4–2 loss and was given a three game ban for violent conduct.

May 2025: Dropped from squad

On 23 May 2025, the club announced João Pedro had been dropped from the squad for their next match against Tottenham Hotspur and was absent for the previous matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool over a training ground incident.

July 2025: Signed by Chelsea

On 2 July 2025, João Pedro was signed by Premier League club Chelsea on a deal until 2033 for a reported fee of £55m plus £5m add-ons. He was included in Chelsea's 2025 FIFA Club World Cup squad during the tournament's second registration window on that same day. He made his debut in the quarter-finals two days later, where he came on as a second-half substitute in Chelsea's 2–1 victory against Palmeiras.