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

João Cruz

Personal information
Full name	João Victor Machado Cruz[1]
Date of birth	(2006-05-12) 12 May 2006 (age 19)[1]
Place of birth	São Paulo, Brazil[1]
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position	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 as of 20:44, 28 June 2024 (UTC)

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