• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Joao Pedro refused to celebrate after scoring on his Chelsea debut in Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense

Home> Football> Football News> Chelsea

Updated 21:00 8 Jul 2025 GMT+1Published 20:35 8 Jul 2025 GMT+1

Joao Pedro refused to celebrate after scoring on his Chelsea debut in Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense

Pedro opened the scoring for Chelsea on Tuesday.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Joao Pedro was a man of his word after he decided against celebrating his debut goal for Chelsea in their Club World Cup semi-final clash against Fluminense.

The 23-year-old striker, who joined Chelsea from Brighton last week in a deal worth an initial £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons, found the back of the net with 18 minutes played at the MetLife Stadium, New York.

Moments later, Pedro held his hands up and refused to celebrate out of respect for his first professional club.

Pedro joined Fluminense's youth system at the age of 10 and moved to Rio de Janeiro with his mother. After progressing through the ranks, he went on to score 10 goals for the senior team before joining Watford.

Advert

Ahead of kick-off on Tuesday, the striker was asked if he would celebrate against Fluminense.

"No, I don’t think so. It’s not about trying to end anyone’s dream, but I have to do my job," he said.

"I need to do my work. Of course, I’m very grateful for everything Fluminense has done for me, but I can’t stop doing my job. I don’t know how things will play out — anything can happen."

Pedro added: "I know how much it means to Fluminense, and I believe it’s just as important for us too. So, may the best team win, and may it be a great match and a great show for everyone."

Ahead of his much-anticipated debut, Pedro opened up on this summer's big-money move to Chelsea.

Advert

"I was on holidays, but I was always training and if I’m going to start or not, it’s not my decision but I will try to improve, be ready for Enzo and if he needs me so we will see tomorrow," he said in an interview with BBC Sport.

"I was in Brazil, with my friends. In Rio but I have a personal trainer and I trained as well so I was ready. Imagine if I didn’t train and Chelsea called me to come then it would be more difficult for me. I was on holiday with friends and family but I made sure I was ready.

"I knew Chelsea had an interest in me so that’s why I was training harder and when they called me to come here I was ready, not 100% but ready enough to come here and train."

Some were surprised by Pedro's inclusion given his recent arrival, but Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was keen to give him minutes.

Advert

"The reason why we decided to involve him is because since he arrived, even if he was on holiday, he looks sharp, he looks good, and we wanted to give him some minutes," the Italian said.

Joao Pedro has impressed in training. Image credit: Getty
Joao Pedro has impressed in training. Image credit: Getty

Maresca added: "Also, I think with him and Noni (Madueke) inside the pitch, we were much better. With Joao, we knew him very well. The reason why he’s here is because we like him and we are sure that he’s going to help us."

Featured Image Credit: DAZN

Topics: Chelsea, FIFA Club World Cup, Brazil

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

X

@jackkenmare_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
7 hours ago
9 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • Getty
    6 hours ago

    Steven Gerrard’s Reason for Snubbing Rangers Return Revealed

    Steven Gerrard was linked with a return to Rangers but has reportedly turned down the vacancy.

    Football
  • Getty
    7 hours ago

    Nottingham Forest 'Identify Replacement' For Ange Postecoglou

    Nottingham Forest could already part company with Ange Postecoglou after a dire start to life at the City Ground.

    Football
  • Getty
    9 hours ago

    Norway Set for FIFA Punishment After 'Rule Breach' in Israel Clash

    Norway took on Israel in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick.

    Football
  • Chelsea TV
    11 hours ago

    Diego Costa Involved in Ugly Incident During Chelsea vs Liverpool Legends

    The former Spain international was known for his aggressive playing style during his time with the Premier League side.

    Football
  • Final warning for fans wanting watch tonight’s Chelsea game in Club World Cup semi-final
  • Why Joao Pedro can play at Club World Cup for Chelsea as Jamie Gittens 'banned' due to strict FIFA rule
  • FIFA To Approve Major Club World Cup Rule Change Impacting Premier League Clubs
  • FIFA 'ignore' important football rule during Club World Cup final between Chelsea and PSG