Gonçalo Esteves
Full name: Gonçalo Lago Pontes Esteves
Country: Portugal
Date of birth: 27/02/2004 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Arcos de Valdevez (Portugal)
Height: 172cm
Youth career: ADC Aboim/Sabadim, FC Porto, Padroense, Sporting CP (since 2021)
Current club: Sporting CP
Squad number: 87
Current national team: Portugal U-18
Position: right-back, right wing-back
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: UEFA Youth League 2021/2022 (3/1), UEFA Champions League 2021/2022 (1/0)
Contract until: 30.06.2024
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Javier Zanetti
Strengths:
– pace and acceleration 
– athleticism
– technique 
– ball control
– dribbling
– tackling
– determination 
– bravery
No significant weaknesses.
Style of play:
– complete full-back
– player with a stocky build, power, stamina, and natural fitness who feels comfortable in contact situations
– strong player with very good agility and coordination, and great pace at all distances
– intelligent full-back with great timing, positioning, and game reading ability when going forward
– above-average technique, ball control, and passing skills for a full-back/perfect full-back for a team looking to build from the back
– likes to dribble
– unconventional full-back who often moves into midfield and makes combinations with his teammates
– likes to use half-spaces and enter the penalty area whenever possible
– high work rate, determination, and winning mentality
– impacts the game at both ends of the pitch/equally competent offensively as defensively
– very strong in 1v1 defensive duels
– able to dribble past his opponents and make good crosses at top speed
– endless energy and his powerful running make him an incredibly useful asset as he brings an offensive value to a team, with a lot of activity during 90 minutes on the right side
– high tackling and interception rate (81% tackle success according to InStat)
Esteves makes a great run on the right side, cuts inside, and scores with a very good weaker foot finish.
Esteves moves to the midfield, makes a great run, and provides an assist to his teammate with a very smart pass.
He is best suited to playing as:
Right-back in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
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League summary (as for 9 December 2021):
Liga 3 2021/2022: 6 games/1 goals (Sporting CP II)
Description:
Gonçalo Esteves is the borther of FC Porto player Tomás Esteves who is also a very talented right-back. In 2021, Gonçalo moved from Porto to Sporting CP. He settled well at his new club and very quickly became a star of the Sporting B team and U-19 team competing in the UEFA Youth League. He made his first-team debut on 15 October 2021 in the Portuguese Cup game against Belenenses. His league debut seems to be only a matter of time. In 2021, he was one of the three Portuguese players to feature on a list entitled “Next Generation: 60 of the best young talents in world football” by The Guardian.
Quotes:
“Esteves was a great signing. He’s a very talented kid.”
(Rúben Amorim – Sporting CP coach)
Football Talent Scout potential rating:
Player has the potential to become a key player in a top European club.
Links: