Scoring twice in a semi-final, on your first start, to place your club at a moving distance of a £ 100 million-plus jackpot, is usually a reason for a party. But Joao Pedro only followed the law.
When the new £ 60 million men from Chelsea immediately repaid a large part of his transfer costs with that double against Fluminense to send the Blues in the World Cup Final against Paris Saint-Germain to the Club World Cup, he held his hands up and stopped. He had just kept to the 'Lei Do ex' (Law of the EX) – a Brazilian rule that players always seem to score against their former clubs.
Joao Pedro – Never just 'Pedro', because they are both part of his first name – in the 18th and 56th minutes with two powerful shots with his right foot, a dream start but also a dagger in the heart of the club that gave him a chance on a professional career.
Born in the city of Ribeirao Preto, in the state of Sao Paulo, Joao Pedro and his mother Flavia threw everything in his future as a football player.
When he was 11, his family 400 miles to Xerem, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, for him to strive for his dreams for Fluminense.
He was first seen by Luiz Felipe, a scout who worked for Fluminense under the 11s and responsible for the search for talents. Felipe met Joao in a tournament in Valparaíso, in Sao Paulo, became friends with the family and brought them to Rio de Janeiro.
“We had a life without luxury, but we never missed anything when I lived Preto in Ribeirao,” says Joao Pedro, 23, to Mail Sport.
'But we left everything behind the pursuit of the dream of becoming a player when Fluminense approved my move to the club's academy.
'In Xerem we shared the house with another boy and his mother. We went through a number of difficult financial times, moments when even food was scarce, where my mother would give up a meal so that I could eat better.
'Fluminense helped us enormously at the time, with financial and emotional support. Except that I trusted, believe in my development as a person and my potential as a player.
'I managed to reach the professional level, and from that moment everything happened in a very positive way in my life. That is why I am grateful to Fluminen. '
Two days after completing his move from Brighton, Joao Pedro was thrown directly into the action.
He ended his summer vacation early, had a quick photo shoot in Miami and then a Chelsea debut from the bank in the quarterfinals victory over Palmeiras.
He got the nod for the semi -final and is the favorite to start in the front against PSG, to win the race about Nicolas Jackson and colleague New Signing Liam Delap.
With so many options about Enzo Maresca's decision, it is difficult to find out who gets their chance in a certain game, but the Brazilian does not seem to be bothered to have so much competition.
“Chelsea is one of the top clubs in the world – it is of course to have a team with great players,” he says. 'I don't see it as a problem, but rather as a chance of growth.
'Playing with excellent players will only grow me and will always demand the best of me. Our coach will decide who plays. The most important thing for our players is to participate and always be 100 percent ready to play. '
The rise of Joao Pedro has been fast. Before he had made his senior debut for Fluminense, he was arrested by Watford, although his relocation was delayed by problems with the work permit and Covid.
He finally moved in 2020 and brought them back to the Premier League before he came to Brighton for £ 30 million two years ago. Now he is worth the double.
He reveals to Mail Sport that he worked during the summer to be in peak physical form in case a movement like this came off, and he would be ready to go.
Joao Pedro was right. “Chelsea had been interested in me for a while, but my focus never removed that to help Brighton,” he says.
'When the season ended, even on vacation in Brazil, I knew something could happen, so I physically trained a lot.
'When everything was completed and I immediately traveled to Miami to become a member of the team. I felt at ease from the first moment, because everyone welcomed me very well.
“I believe that I had played in the Premier League for a long time and knowing the Chelsea team helped me well to adjust to the tactical arrangement and team chemistry.”
Maresca is already a big fan – and that admiration of course grew after the two -hree in East Rutherford, New Jersey, who sealed the Jersea journey there on Sunday.
They had spoken before he joined, to ensure the Brazilian that Chelsea was the right place for him.
“When the deal almost happened, we had a fast conversation and he gave me a lot of confidence,” says Joao Pedro.
'Once I came to the team, I could better understand how the team played and how I could help in the best possible way. I tried to absorb the coach's instructions as quickly as possible to help the team. I am happy that I have achieved that against Palmeiras and, especially against Fluminense, with the goals. '
The only towbar that could come is when Chelsea then gets a penalty.
Cole Palmer is the real estate no. 1 Taker (despite what happened when Jackson and Noni Madueke became involved in a Tetchy incident a year ago during a 6-0 victory over Everton), but Joao Pedro has a formidable record of his own, scored 18 of 19 in his career. “I've always loved to take punishments,” he says.
'I think every attacker does that, because our most important focus is goals.
'So I train a lot to get better and better and make as few mistakes as possible during games. There is no secret, just a lot of practice. That is what gives you trust and calmness during the game. '
And that trust only grows with the knowledge that he is a leader to be Brazil, no. 9 at the World Cup of next year, and extremely popular with the fans of his country.
New head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is said to be in Metlife Stadium on Sunday, has him back in the line -up and Joao Pedro won his third cap in March, as part of Ancelotti's first team.
The next dream is playing in Metlife on July 11, 2026 – in the World Cup final. “Without a doubt, one of my biggest career goals is to be part of the Brazilian national team,” he says. 'But for that I have to show in my club that I am ready.
'So I have to do my share, that must be 100 percent physically and technically prepared and do good performance for my club. That is what I have control over. Being called or not is not under my control, but I will always do my best to increase the chances that that happens. '