Pedro Gonçalves

Biography

Pedro António Pereira Gonçalves (Portuguese pronunciation: ; born 28 June 1998), also known as Pote, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Primeira Liga club Sporting CP and the Portugal national team. Gonçalves started his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers, before signing for newly promoted Primeira Liga side Famalicão in 2019. After being named Primeira Liga's Best Young Player of the Year in 2020, he signed for fellow Primeira Liga side Sporting CP. There, he won the Bola de Prata for being the top scorer in the Primeira Liga, and was the league's top assist provider in consecutive seasons in 2023 and 2024. He is a former Portugal youth international, representing his country at under-18, under-20 and under-21 levels. He made his senior international debut in 2021, being chosen in Portugal's squad for the UEFA Euro 2020. Born in the village of Vidago, a spa town in Chaves, Vila Real District, Gonçalves' father died a month after his birth. He started his career at Vidago at the age of 8, where his mother worked as the kit provider. He was integrated into the club's youth team by vice president José Sousa, after being a regular presence around the premises. Due to being chubby and short during his childhood, he earned the nickname "Potinho" and later "Pote".