João Pedro Almeida Machado (born 3 April 1993), known as João Pedro, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga 3 club Marco 09.
Developed at Vitória de Guimarães, where he was mainly a reserve, he made 154 Primeira Liga appearances for that club, Tondela and Chaves. Abroad, he represented LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer, Apollon Smyrnis in Super League Greece and UTA Arad in Romania.
Career Vitória Guimarães Born in the village of Vermil in Guimarães, João Pedro joined local Vitória SC's youth system at the age of 12. He made his senior debut with their reserves, his first Segunda Liga appearance taking place on 11 November 2012 when he came on as a 73rd-minute substitute in a 0–0 home draw against C.F. Os Belenenses.
João Pedro first appeared with the first team in competitive matches – and in the Primeira Liga – on 4 May 2014, playing injury time in a 0–0 away draw with Académica de Coimbra. In the 2014–15 season he started 42 games for the B side, scoring once to help them finish ninth in the second tier.
João Pedro scored his only goal for Vitória's main squad on 18 December 2016, playing the entire 3–1 home win over Vitória de Setúbal.
LA Galaxy On 19 January 2017, João Pedro signed with the LA Galaxy. He made his debut in the Major League Soccer on 4 March, starting and being booked in a 1–2 loss against FC Dallas at StubHub Center. He scored his first goal in the competition on 28 May, contributing to the 4–2 away defeat of the San Jose Earthquakes.
On 20 August 2018, João Pedro joined Super League Greece club Apollon Smyrnis F.C. on loan. He scored his first goal for his new team on 1 November, in a 5–0 home victory over Apollon Paralimnio F.C. in the group stage of the Greek Cup.
Tondela João Pedro returned to his homeland after being loaned to C.D. Tondela on a short-team deal on 29 January 2019, and the move was extended in August. On 10 January 2020, he agreed to a permanent contract until June 2022.
On 7 November 2021, João Pedro scored a hat-trick in the first half of a 4–2 home win over C.S. Marítimo, all from the penalty spot.
Chaves Unemployed since Tondela's relegation, João Pedro remained in the Portuguese top flight by signing a contract of undisclosed length at G.D. Chaves on 21 January 2023. He totalled 29 appearances during his spell, failing to find the net.
UTA Arad On 25 January 2024, João Pedro joined Romanian Liga I club FC UTA Arad on a six-month deal with an option for a further year. On 18 March, he netted twice for the hosts in a 4–3 home victory against FC Voluntari after replacing the injured Marcelo Freitas after 34 minutes; the last goal came deep into injury time.
Later career João Pedro returned to Portugal in February 2025, on a contract at second-tier F.C. Felgueiras. However, it was cancelled the following month after the club found out he still had not severed his ties to UTA Arad.
On 14 February 2026, João Pedro joined amateurs Pevidém S.C. in the Braga Football Association.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupTaça da LigaContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsVitória Guimarães B2012–13Segunda Liga221————2212014–15431————4312015–16301————301Total953————953Vitória Guimarães2013–14Primeira Liga10000000—102014–1510002000—302015–1620001000—302016–17171101000—191Total211104000—261LA Galaxy2017Major League Soccer28110———29120183020———50Total31130———341LA Galaxy II2018USL Championship50————50Apollon Smyrnis (loan)2018–19Super League Greece6031———91Tondela (loan)2018–19Primeira Liga141————141Tondela2019–20Primeira Liga3241000——3342020–2131520———3352021–222985010——358Total92178010——10117Chaves2022–23Primeira Liga140————1402023–241301010——150Total2701010——190UTA Arad2023–24Liga I61———831442024–2517220———192Total23320——83336Career total3142618160008334630
Honours Tondela Taça de Portugal runner-up: 2021–22
References
External links