What does Brighton player Joao Pedro’s controversial ‘throat-cutting’ goal celebration mean?

JOAO Pedro is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Brighton.

The Seagulls star has celebrated scoring with a controversial throat-cutting gesture. Here’s what we know about it.

Who is João Pedro?

Pedro is a professional footballer born on September 26, 2001, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He made his professional debut for Fluminense FC in 2017, scoring 31 goals for the South American team in youth events in 2018.

As Pedro advanced in his career, he began to attract European clubs.

In 2018, Watford agreed a deal to sign the 17-year-old.

But the striker did not move to England for another two years, making his debut for Watford on June 28, 2020.

Pedro joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021 after the Seagulls secured a club-record £30 million transfer for the striker.

The deal broke Brighton’s previous club record signing of £20m paid to Bristol City in 2019 for defender Adam Webster.

The star earned a nomination for Young Player of the Year at the PFA Awards on August 20, 2024.

Pedro was seen alongside his partner as she held a tiny juxtaposing white handbag with a long black dress.

Why does Joao Pedro make a throat-cutting gesture when celebrating goals for Brighton?

Pedro displayed his celebration in a match against rivals Crystal Palace, where Brighton won 4-1.

Following the victory, Pedro mimed slitting his throat after counting to four, possibly to indicate that the match was killed off.

His cut-throat gesture during goal celebrations appears to signify the end of the game and a confirmation that his team came out on top.

The gesture was controversially used before by Serge Aurier back in 2016 during Ivory Coast’s 3-1 win over Mali.

TV cameras clearly showed Aurier running his finger across his neck as he charged towards supporters, much to the ire of Fifa.

Aurier’s behaviour was reviewed under investigation by Fifa after the performance.

How many goals has Joao Pedro made while playing for Brighton?

On 5 May 2023, Pedro joined Brighton & Hove Albion FC.

Since joining Brighton, he has made 32 appearances and scored nine goals.

During the Europa League, he emerged as one of the top scorers, netting six goals in six games.

Pedro’s previous stint at Watford FC included 104 appearances and 23 goals.

During his time at Fluminense FC in Brazil, Pedro made 29 appearances and scored five goals.

Pedro has previously played for the Brazilian national team back in 2023 where he scored one goal.