Joao Pedro has made a flying start at Chelsea after his £60million summer move from Brighton, showing the same ice-cool finishing as Cole Palmer. But behind the 23-year-old’s rise is a story of hardship, loss, and resilience.
Born in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, Pedro’s early life was shaken when his father — Botafogo midfielder Chicao — was jailed for 18 years as an accessory to murder. That left his mother, Flavia, to raise him alone, often sacrificing her own meals so her son could eat while chasing his football dreams.
Eduardo Oliveira, his former Under-17 coach at Fluminense, described Pedro’s journey as “an iceberg” — people only see the success above the water, not the pain and struggle beneath.
Pedro’s father was released in 2010 after serving eight years and briefly attempted a football comeback, even appearing on TV with his son. But it was Flavia’s strength and Pedro’s own determination that carried him through years of uncertainty to the top of the game.
Today, Pedro is not only thriving at Stamford Bridge but has also broken into the Brazil national team, proof of a remarkable rise from a turbulent beginning.
