Good things come to those who wait: Zé Pedro’s inspiring rise at Porto | OneFootball

Porto kicked off their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Brazilian behemoths Palmeiras in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a match that, despite lacking goals, was full of excitement.

In attack, Rodrigo Mora weaved around the pitch and made himself a nuisance against Palmeiras’ defence, demonstrating once again why he is one of the finest young talents in world football. Samu Aghehowa wreaked havoc from the centre-forward position, mounting ample pressure on Weverton and impressing with his hold-up play. Gabri Veiga delivered an impressive showing in his first performance since arriving from Saudi club Al-Ahli, Fábio Vieira reminded folks of the quality that prompted Arsenal to splurge big money on him just three years ago, and apart from a careless giveaway at the start, Alan Varela generally kept things tidy from the holding midfield position.

Deputising for first-choice goalkeeper Diogo Costa, Cláudio Ramos was called into action on multiple occasions and stole the show with a number of impressive saves. Martim Fernandes, João Mário, Francisco Moura and Iván Marcano also delivered a number of key interventions in the backline, preventing an audacious Palmeiras side from finding the back of the net.

Composed Zé Pedro blunts big-name attackers

And in the heart of defence, Zé Pedro held it down and justified manager Martín Anselmi’s confidence with a composed display. Going up against a star-studded attack featuring the likes of ex-Barcelona striker Vítor Roque, former Lazio star Felipe Anderson, and Chelsea-bound Estêvão, as well as other fascinating talents like Maurício and Allan, Zé Pedro remained unfazed and helped Porto secure a goalless draw and retain their ambitions of finishing atop Group A.

Born in Guimarães, Portugal, José Pedro da Silva Figueiredo Freitas began his development with local side Vitória SC at the age of nine, playing with the Conquistadores between 2006 and 2010 before spending three years at lowly G.D.R.C. Os Sandinenses. In 2013, he made the move to Vizela, where he would spend three years before heading out on loan to Torcatense. He then bounced around from Fafe, Braga B, and Estrela da Amadora, helping the latter achieve promotion to Liga Portugal 2 by registering 5 goals in 28 appearances in 2020/21 and also racking up five appearances to guide them to the Round of 16 in the Portuguese Cup.

Big break

After spending the first six years of his senior career in Portugal’s third tier, Zé Pedro joined Porto in 2021, signing a three-year contract with for €250,000 and 80% of his sporting rights. Initially assigned to the B-team in the second division, Zé Pedro needed just five months before making his first-team debut under Sérgio Conceição, playing the entirety of the 1–0 win over Rio Ave in the group stage of the Taça da Liga as they were already eliminated. He continued to bide his time on the fringes, patiently waiting for his opportunity. Eventually, his patience paid off, with the centre-back extending his contract through 2026 on 7 August 2023. One month later, he made his Liga Portugal debut in a 1-0 defeat to Benfica. With regular starters Marcano and Pepe both injured, he replaced Romário Baró in the 25th minute after Fábio Cardoso was sent off.

Zé Pedro split his time between the B-team and the first team, racking up 14 appearances for the former and 17 for the latter in 2023/24. He began the 2024/25 season as the starter under new manager Vítor Bruno, prompting the club to renew his deal through 2027. However, he was dropped from the line-up at the start of November, failing to make another league appearance for another three months. He returned to the line-up in February, impressing in a 1-1 draw against Sporting.

Climbing up the pecking order

Following the appointment of Anselmi, Pedro emerged as a vital cog in central defence, even relegating big-money arrivals like Nehuén Pérez and Otávio to the bench. By the time the season ended, Zé Pedro had staked his claim as Porto’s most consistent centre-back, playing the full 90 in each of their last six league fixtures.

He picked up where he left off on Sunday, delivering a cool and composed display at MetLife stadium and keeping Palmeiras’ tenacious attack at bay. Having recently celebrated his 28th birthday, the Portuguese defender excelled over the course of 90 minutes, racking up five clearances, one interception and one tackle, winning one foul, and coming out on top in two out of four ground duels. He also showcased his quality in possession, completing 41 out of 45 passes as well as one out of two long balls. By the time that Argentine referee Said Martínez blew the final whistle, the only complaint that could be made of his performance was the fact that when he had the chance to score the opening goal from a corner kick, his header from a good position sailing north of the post.

Speaking to PortuGOAL after the match, Zé Pedro revealed: “I can say that I am in the best moment of my career because we are playing in a competition that has the 32 best teams in the world. It’s something that I’m very proud of, and I hope to continue that.”

Winning over the doubters

It hasn’t been an easy rise to the top for Zé Pedro. Similarly to other late bloomers like Daley Blind, Jimmy Conrad and José Fonte, the Portuguese defender has had to cut his teeth in the lower reaches of Portuguese football, keeping his head down and working towards achieving his childhood ambitions. He’s had to deal with criticism from even his own supporters, who have lambasted his performances and expressed disbelief that a player who spent the bulk of his career in the amateur leagues could possibly be a starter for Porto. And yet, thanks to his world-class mentality and work rate, he’s managed to make the most out of his ability and emerge as a fundamental player in Porto’s backline.

The Dragões will face off against MLS side Inter Miami on Thursday in Atlanta before returning to New Jersey to lock horns against Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly. With all four teams in Group A enduring goalless stalemates in their opening fixtures, the table is wide open. It’s anybody’s guess which two teams will qualify for the knockout stages, but one thing’s for sure: if Porto are to advance to the knockout round, they’ll need Zé Pedro to be at his best as he continues to prove he deserves his place among football’s elite.