João Gonçalves (footballer)
# João Gonçalves (footballer)

João Pedro do Espírito Santo Gonçalves (born 18 January 1988) is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a right back.

## Club career

Born in Amadora, Lisbon, Gonçalves joined Sporting CP's youth system at only eight, but never appeared for the club officially, being loaned for the duration of his spell. He represented C.D. Olivais e Moscavide (third division), S.C. Olhanense (Segunda Liga and Primeira Liga) and Vitória de Guimarães (top tier).

Gonçalves spent three of his four years with Algarve's Olhanense in the top flight, appearing in 21 games in the 2010–11 season (all starts, one goal against Vitória de Setúbal in a 3–1 home win) to help his team rank in 11th place. He retired in June 2013 at the age of only 25, due to recurrent knee injuries.

## International career

Gonçalves won 48 caps for Portugal across all youth levels, including nine for the under-21 side.

