João Vitor Hipólito Costa (born 1 March 2005), known as João Costa, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Spanish Primera Federación club Murcia on loan from Botafogo-SP.
Club career Born in Franca, São Paulo, João Costa joined Botafogo-SP's youth sides in 2019, after representing Inter de Bebedouro and Francana. He made his senior debut in the 2022 Copa Paulista, as the squad was mainly composed of under-20 players.
After impressing with the under-20 squad in the 2024 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, João Costa was promoted to the main squad and started to feature regularly in the 2024 Série B under manager Paulo Gomes. He scored his first professional goal on 4 June 2024, netting his side's second in a 2–1 away win over Santos.
On 14 August 2024, João Costa renewed his contract with the Pantera until March 2027.
On 2 February 2026, was loaned by Spanish club Murcia in the third tier and was registered for the reserve squad Real Murcia Imperial.
International career On 20 September 2024, João Costa was called up to the Brazil national under-20 team for a period of trainings.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBotafogo-SP2022Série C00———4Appearance(s) in Copa Paulista0402023Série B000000——0020242620020—10292Career total26200200050332
References