What Happened to João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus?
João Pedro, the Brazilian forward, has rapidly ascended in European football, moving from Watford to Brighton & Hove Albion, and then to Chelsea in 2025. After an outstanding debut season with Chelsea, where he scored 20 goals and won the Club World Cup, he signed a new long-term contract until 2034 and took on the club's iconic No. 9 jersey in August 2026, despite a surprising omission from Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad.
Quick Answer
João Pedro is currently a prominent forward for Premier League club Chelsea, having signed a new contract until 2034 on August 22, 2026, and taking over the No. 9 shirt. He joined Chelsea in July 2025 from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported £55-60 million, making an immediate impact by winning the FIFA Club World Cup and scoring 20 goals in his debut 2025/26 season, earning him Chelsea's Player of the Season award. Despite his stellar club form, he was controversially left out of Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad due to tactical decisions by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
Born in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus was born in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Senior Debut for Fluminense
João Pedro began his senior career with Brazilian club Fluminense, making 29 appearances and scoring 5 goals before moving to England.
Joins Watford FC
He transferred to English club Watford, where he played for three seasons, making 104 appearances and scoring 23 goals.
Transfers to Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion confirmed the acquisition of João Pedro from Watford for a reported club-record fee of around £30 million.
Scores on Brighton Debut
João Pedro made his debut for Brighton in the opening match of the 2023–24 season, scoring from the spot in a 4–1 home win over Luton Town.
Scores Brighton's First European Goals
He scored Brighton's first-ever European goals, netting two penalties in a Europa League match against AEK Athens.
Makes Brazil Senior National Team Debut
João Pedro made his debut for the Brazil senior national team in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia.
Joins Chelsea FC
João Pedro was signed by fellow Premier League club Chelsea on a deal until 2033 for a reported fee of £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons.
Scores in FIFA Club World Cup Final and Semi-Final
He scored a brace against Fluminense in the Club World Cup semi-final and a goal in the final against Paris Saint-Germain, helping Chelsea win the trophy.
Omitted from Brazil's 2026 World Cup Squad
Despite a stellar 2025/26 season with Chelsea, João Pedro was a surprise omission from Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad, a decision attributed to tactical preferences by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Signs New Chelsea Contract and Takes No. 9 Shirt
João Pedro signed a new long-term contract with Chelsea until June 2034 and took on the club's iconic No. 9 jersey, signaling his central role for the upcoming season.
Follow this story
Get an email when this timeline gets a major update.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus, commonly known as João Pedro, began his professional career at Brazilian club Fluminense before making the move to English football with Watford in 2020. He spent three seasons with the Hornets, gaining valuable experience and showcasing his potential, scoring 23 goals in 104 appearances.
His impressive performances earned him a club-record transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion in May 2023 for approximately £30 million. At Brighton, João Pedro continued to thrive, scoring on his Premier League debut and becoming the club's first-ever European goalscorer with two penalties against AEK Athens in the Europa League. He finished the 2023/24 season as Brighton's joint-top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions, also topping the Europa League group stage scoring charts with six goals.
In a significant career move, João Pedro transferred to fellow Premier League giants Chelsea in July 2025 for a reported fee of £55 million, potentially rising to £60 million with add-ons. He immediately made his mark, featuring in Chelsea's 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign, where he scored a brace in the semi-final against his former club Fluminense and another goal in the final against Paris Saint-Germain, helping Chelsea secure the trophy.
The 2025/26 season saw João Pedro establish himself as a key player for Chelsea. He netted 20 goals across all competitions and was recognized as the club's Supporters' Player of the Season. His exceptional club form, however, did not guarantee him a spot in the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup. In a widely debated decision, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti omitted the forward, citing tactical preferences despite acknowledging João Pedro's deserving season.
As of August 22, 2026, João Pedro's commitment to Chelsea was further solidified when he signed a new long-term contract, extending his stay at Stamford Bridge until 2034. He also took on the club's famous, and often considered 'cursed,' No. 9 jersey, signaling his central role under newly appointed manager Xabi Alonso for the upcoming 2026/27 season. At 24 years old, João Pedro is poised to lead Chelsea's attack and continue his development as one of the Premier League's top forwards.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus made different choices?