João Pedro da Silva Freitas

João Pedro da Silva Freitas (born 24 June 1998) is an East Timorese professional footballer who plays as a winger or a forward for Malaysia Super League club Kuching City and the Timor-Leste national team.

João Pedro is currently the all-time top scorer of the Timor-Leste national team with 8 goals. He also holds the record for the highest goal scoring Timorese to score in the ASEAN Championship.

Club career

João Pedro was signed on a free transfer from Cambodian club Angkor Tiger FC by Malaysia Super League club Kuching City on June 28, 2025. This was amid strong interest from another Malaysian club Kuala Lumpur City, whose chairman had publicly declared their intent to sign the Timorese striker for the upcoming season.

In his first season with the Malaysian outfit, João Pedro made seven appearances for Kuching City in the Piala Malaysia, helping them reach the final against reigning champions Johor.

João Pedro's performance in the Piala Malaysia final was lauded by many fans and critics, highlighted by his dribbles past Johor defenders Feroz Baharudin and Antonio Glauder. He was also praised by Kuching City manager Aidil Sharin Sahak, who commended his speed and crossing ability.

International career

João Pedro made his national team debut for Timor-Leste at the 2018 AFF Championship tournament. On 17 November 2018, he made his first international goal against Philippines.

On 7 June 2019, João Pedro scored Timor-Leste's only goal in a 7–1 defeat to Malaysia in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.

On 5 September 2024, João Pedro scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 victory over Mongolia in the first leg of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – play-off round.

During the 2024 ASEAN Championship against Cambodia on 17 November 2024. João Pedro become the joint top scorer for Timor-Leste with 7 goals.

On 10 June 2025, Pedro scored the lone goal in a 1–0 win against Maldives in the third round of 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification, making him become the all-time top scorer for the Timor-Leste national team.

Career statistics

International

Scores and results list Timor-Leste's goal tally first.

+ List of international goals scored by João PedroNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition 1. 17 November 2018 Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2–3 2–3 2018 AFF Championship 2. 7 June 2019 Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1–4 1–7 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 3. 5 September 2024 Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Gianyar, Indonesia 1–0 4–1 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification 4. 2–0 5. 3–1 6. 11 December 2024 Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2–1 2–3 2024 ASEAN Championship 7. 17 December 2024 Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 1–0 1–2 8. 10 June 2025 Territory Rugby League Stadium, Darwin, Australia 1–0 1–0 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Honours ASEAN All-Stars Maybank Challenge Cup: 2025 Individual ASEAN All-Stars: 2025