There is a famous saying in Brazilian football: “Every great team starts with a great goalkeeper”. Joao Pedro has proven just how true this is as he represents Brazil at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™.
The player from Vila Belmiro has been part of Dudu Patetuci’s current crop since the very beginning, and has proven himself to be a World Cup hero. He has saved six penalties in his last two games, helping his country to shootout victories over Paraguay and France.
“I’ve been familiar with Joao ever since I called up my first squad in 2023, and I’ve picked him more than anyone else, going back to the U-15 days. The staff really trust him,” Patetuci told FIFA.
“He’s at the top of his game right now, and his confidence is sky high,” added Patetuci. “That transmits to the rest of the team, not only during penalties, but throughout the whole match. Everyone’s delighted that Joao is having such a brilliant World Cup, and we feel like he’ll be giving us even more to celebrate in the future.”
Joao Pedro was not called on much during Brazil’s group stage games but, as the opponents have become more challenging, he has found himself playing an increasingly important role. In the round of 32 against Paraguay, he was a major factor in the team securing a 0-0 draw despite being down to ten men for over 80 minutes, and made a vital one-on-one save during normal time. In the shootout, he stopped three penalties to secure his side’s passage to the next round.
Speaking after the game, he said: “When I saw the striker bearing down on me, all I could think about was pulling off a miracle. I know I can count on the other players to score when we need a goal, so I have to help them as well.”
He would find his services required once again in the next match, as France were awarded a 33rd-minute penalty. He dived low to keep out Christ Batola’s spot kick, but Remi Himbert was there to score the rebound. Brazil eventually equalised through Pietro Tavares, but they only had the chance to do so thanks to their goalkeeper, as Joao Pedro prevented Pierre Mounguengue from converting a golden opportunity.
In the shootout, Brazil’s keeper was once again their saviour as he stopped two efforts from the spot, putting his team into the quarter finals. Although he is a humble young man and prefers to share the credit with the rest of the side, his team-mates had plenty of praise for his heroics.
“Having Joao Pedro behind us is incredible,” said captain Ze Lucas. “He’s an outstanding keeper. Whenever we need him, he’s right there, and we owe it to him that we’re still in the tournament.”
Those two shootout saves and the one during normal time bring Joao Pedro’s total to six saves from 13 penalties faced at the U-17 World Cup. The young No1, whose idols are Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois and German shot-stopper Manuel Neuer, has no particular secrets to his prowess. None, that is, apart from hard work.
“Saving penalties is all about practice,” he explained. “I’ve been blessed with good health and I’ve been training hard. It’s been an incredible year for me when it comes to penalties.”
