Gonçalo Esteves

Jacek Kulig

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

– crossing

– passing 

– positioning 

– determination

– bravery

Weaknesses:

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:

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:

9/10

Player has the potential to become a key player in a top European club.

Links:

Transfermarkt

Soccerway

Share This Article
Leave a comment