Joao Pedro feels his dreams have come true by representing Chelsea and Brazil this season, but the Blues forward is taking it all in his stride and believes there is much more still to come.
The 23-year-old has made a blistering start to life with the Blues after joining from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer.
First, at the FIFA Club World Cup, he marked his full debut by scoring both goals in our 2-0 semi-final win over Fluminense – the club where he began his career. He found the net again as we beat Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
Joao Pedro has picked up where he left off at the start of the 2025/26 season, getting on the score sheet in our wins against West Ham United and Fulham, as well as providing two assists against the Hammers.
Currently away on international duty with Brazil, he is aiming to add to his three caps and help the Selecao seal second place in the table as they conclude their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with matches against Chile and Bolivia.
Speaking to the media in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the first of those games against Chile, he discussed his journey from Brazil to England and back again with the national team, and outlined why his recent success proves he made the right decision in leaving his homeland at an early age.
‘The Joao Pedro of today is the Joao Pedro I always dreamed of being – in the position to represent my country, playing for a big club in England, which was always my dream since I was little,’ said the striker.
‘I think I’m very calm with everything that’s been happening because my start at Fluminense was good but then I had that move to Watford and played in the second division.
‘Many people thought I was crazy because I was doing so well at Fluminense and left at a very young age, but I believe I made the right choice and, in the end, everything worked out. I’m at Chelsea, I’m in the national team.’
The Blues forward clearly isn’t fazed by that success, though. In fact, with the chance to compete in the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea and the World Cup with Brazil over the next year, he hopes there is plenty more to come for club and country.
‘I’m confident and happy and I think this is just the start of a beautiful story ahead, not only for the national team but for Chelsea as well.’