João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus, commonly known as João Pedro, was born on September 26, 2001, in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. He is the son of Flavia Junqueira and José João de Jesus, known as Chicão, a former professional footballer for Botafogo. João Pedro’s early life was marked by his father’s incarceration, but his mother played a pivotal role in supporting his football ambitions.
Club Career Journey
João Pedro began his football journey in the youth system of Fluminense, where he initially played as a defensive midfielder before transitioning to an attacking role. He made his senior debut for Fluminense in March 2019 and quickly made headlines by scoring seven goals in four games, including a hat trick in the Copa Sudamericana.
His talent attracted attention from Europe, and before his senior debut, English club Watford secured his signing. João Pedro officially joined Watford in January 2020, overcoming initial delays due to work permit issues and the COVID-19 pandemic. He scored his first goal for Watford on his 19th birthday and netted his first Premier League goal against Manchester United in November 2021.
In May 2023, Brighton & Hove Albion signed João Pedro for a club-record fee, reportedly around £30 million. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut and becoming Brighton’s first-ever European goal scorer with two penalties against AEK Athens in the Europa League. João Pedro finished the group stage as the top scorer with six goals in six matches, helping Brighton advance to the last 16.
Recent Highlights and Challenges
João Pedro continued to deliver in key moments, including a stoppage-time winner against Manchester United in August 2024. However, his career has also seen disciplinary setbacks, such as a three-game ban in April 2025 for violent conduct and being dropped from the squad in May 2025 after a training ground incident.
Notable Stats:
- 27 Premier League appearances for Brighton in the 2024/2025 season.
- Europa League group stage top scorer (2023/24) with 6 goals in 6 matches.
- Club-record transfer to Brighton in 2023.
International Career
João Pedro has represented Brazil at the youth level and is now a part of the senior Brazil national team.
Who is Joao Pedro’s Girlfriend
Joao Pedro’s girlfriend is Carolina Portaluppi, a Brazilian model and the daughter of former footballer Renato Portaluppi. They have been together since 2019 and have one child together, a daughter named Maria Eduarda. Carolina is 27 years old and is a successful model with a significant social media presence. The couple is known to be private but often seen together at social events and on social media, appearing happy and supportive of each other.
Earlier reports mentioned Joao Pedro dating Brazilian actress Mel Maia when she was 15, but the more current and detailed information points to Carolina Portaluppi as his partner since 2019.
Also Read: Who is Ivan Toney? Career, Stats, Girlfriend and Net Worth
What is Joao Pedro’s Net Worth
João Pedro (João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus), the Brazilian forward currently playing for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, has an estimated net worth of £9,622,600 as of 2024. This figure is based on his professional football earnings and contract details.
- Current Weekly Salary: £45,000
- Annual Salary: £2,340,000
- Contract Expiry: June 30, 2027
His net worth reflects his football salaries and does not include potential endorsements or other business ventures, which are not publicly detailed in the available sources.
Also Read: Who is Mikey Moore? Career, Stats, Girlfriend and Net Worth
Summary
João Pedro’s journey from Fluminense’s academy to the Premier League highlights his rapid development and resilience. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, he has established himself as a key forward for Brighton & Hove Albion and continues to be a promising talent for both club and country.
