João Cruz (footballer, born 2006)

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Machado and the second or paternal family name is Cruz.

João Cruz

Personal information
Full name	João Victor Machado Cruz[1]
Date of birth	(2006-05-12) 12 May 2006 (age 18)[1]
Place of birth	São Paulo, Brazil[1]
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Athletico Paranaense
Number	57
Youth career
2018–	Athletico Paranaense
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2024–	Athletico Paranaense	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:44, 28 June 2024 (UTC)

João Victor Machado Cruz (born 12 May 2006), known as João Cruz, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Athletico Paranaense.

Career

Born in São Paulo, João Cruz joined Athletico Paranaense's youth sides in 2018, aged 12.[2] On 4 December 2022, he signed his first professional contract with the club, after agreeing to a three-year deal.[3]

João Cruz made his first team debut with Furacão on 8 May 2024, coming on as a second-half substitute for Bruno Zapelli in a 5–1 away routing of Deportivo Rayo Zuliano, for the year's Copa Sudamericana.[4] On 6 June, he renewed his link until February 2028,[5] and made his Série A debut twenty days later, replacing Nikão in a 2–0 away loss to Cruzeiro.

Career statistics

As of 28 June 2024[6]

Club	Season	League			State League		Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Athletico Paranaense	2024	Série A	1	0	—		0	0	2[a]	0	—		3	0
Total			1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	3	0

1. Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana

References

1. "João Cruz" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Club Athletico Paranaense. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
2. "João Cruz é um dos trunfos do Athletico-PR na final da Copa do Brasil Sub-17" [João Cruz is one of Athletico-PR's wildcards in the final of the Copa do Brasil Sub-17] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
3. "Athletico assina primeiro contrato profissional com meia João Cruz; multa é de R$ 275 milhões" [Athletico sign first professional contract with midfielder João Cruz; release clause is set on R$ 275 million] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 4 December 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
4. "João Cruz curte fase no Athletico, mira estreia na arena e relembra convocação: "O tempo parou"" [João Cruz enjoys phase at Athletico, aims for debut in the arena and remembers call-up: "Time froze"] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
5. "Athletico acerta renovação de contrato de João Cruz" [Athletico agree contract renewal of João Cruz] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
6. João Cruz at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 June 2024.