The Tricolor das Laranjeiras faces a significant challenge on Tuesday (8) at 4 PM in the semifinals of the Club World Cup. The match against Chelsea, one of the giants of European football, is set to be historic.
This matchup not only showcases a formidable opponent but also features a special reunion for Fluminense with striker João Pedro, who was developed at the club’s youth academy in Xerém and is now part of the Chelsea squad. Recently signed by the London club, João Pedro was included in the roster specifically for this tournament and the remainder of the season.
At just 23 years old, João Pedro has previously played for Watford and Brighton and arrives at Chelsea as one of the team’s big prospects. His transfer from Brighton was finalized for £55 million, approximately R$ 410 million, with an additional £5 million in potential bonuses for performance-related achievements. This transaction marks one of the largest investments by the English club in a South American player.
While the exact salary details have not been officially disclosed, international media estimates that João Pedro has effectively doubled his earnings compared to his contract with Brighton, where he earned around £2.6 million gross per year. At Chelsea, his annual salary is speculated to be around £5.2 million (approximately R$ 38.8 million), or about R$ 3.24 million monthly.
João Pedro’s trajectory in English football has seen significant financial movement through transfers:
– Watford (2019): R$ 65 million
– Brighton (2023): R$ 188 million
– Chelsea (2025): R$ 410 million + up to R$ 37.3 million in possible bonuses
Since leaving Fluminense, João Pedro has been involved in around R$ 700 million worth of transfer dealings.
The semifinal between Fluminense and Chelsea promises not just excitement and rivalry on the pitch, but also marks a special chapter in João Pedro’s career as he has the opportunity to reconnect with the club where his professional journey began. This match not only highlights his impressive career growth but also serves as an inspiration for young talents in Brazilian football.