Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has shared the personal story behind the first football shirt he ever owned, revealing how his early connection to the game was shaped by family, hometown pride, and childhood dreams.
The Brazilian attacker was among the Chelsea stars involved in unveiling the club’s new home kit and took the opportunity to reflect on the football shirts that have marked key moments throughout his career.
Having represented Fluminense, Watford, Brighton, Chelsea, and Brazil, Joao Pedro says no jersey holds more sentimental value than the first one he received as a young boy in Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo.
The striker explained that his first football shirt came from Botafogo, a club closely linked to both his hometown and his father, Chicao, who also played football professionally.
“My first shirt was a Botafogo shirt,” Joao Pedro said.
“They are the team from my city, Ribeirao Preto, where my father played. My mum gave it to me because I started to train at Botafogo when I was young.”
The Chelsea star recalled wearing the kit constantly while dreaming of a future in football.
“I wore it all the time. I was playing in the shorts and was very excited every day to train – I was dreaming of being a footballer.
“It didn’t have a name on the back, just the badge because it’s a big team in my city. It was special because my father played there, so the people from my city knew that. When I started to train there, it was a very special moment for my family.”
Joao Pedro’s football journey eventually took him to Rio de Janeiro, where he joined Fluminense’s academy after impressing scouts during a youth tournament.
The move proved to be a major turning point in his development, and receiving his first Fluminense training kit remains one of the standout moments of his career.
“I was playing at a tournament and Fluminense saw me,” he recalled.
“They invited me to do training tests. And then I remember that in three or four days, they approved me to be part of the team. So they gave me the training kit!
“Wow, it was very special because it was my first kit given to me by a big club.”
The Brazilian also highlighted Chelsea’s black third kit from the 2025/26 season as his favourite shirt from last year, having worn it during several memorable performances, including his first Premier League goal for the Blues and a hat-trick against Aston Villa.
Joao Pedro added that his shirt from Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph occupies a special place in his home collection, alongside several jerseys swapped with opponents throughout his career.
After helping launch Chelsea’s latest home strip, Joao Pedro expressed his admiration for the design, praising its blend of tradition and modern style.
“I think it looks more classic, more stylish with the collar,” he said.
“Like more old school, but also doesn’t lose the modern look. I like it a lot.”
The forward’s comments offer a glimpse into the memories and milestones attached to football shirts, from childhood dreams in Brazil to creating new history in Chelsea blue.
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