Beto (footballer, born 1998)

Norberto Bercique Gomes Betuncal (born 31 January 1998), known as Beto, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Everton.

Early years
Born in Lisbon of Bissau-Guinean descent, Beto started his senior career with amateurs União de Tires in the Lisbon Football Association, while working at KFC. In 2018 he signed with Olímpico do Montijo of the third division, finishing second in the scoring charts in his only season with 21 goals.

Portimonense
Beto moved straight to the Primeira Liga on 3 June 2019, joining Portimonense on a four-year contract. He made his debut in the competition on 9 August, coming on as an 87th-minute substitute in a 0–0 home draw against B-SAD. He finished the campaign with a further ten league appearances, all from the bench.

Beto scored his first goal in the Portuguese top division on 8 November 2020, but in a 3–1 away loss to Porto. He added ten more during the season, best in the squad.

Udinese
On the last day of the 2021 summer transfer window, Beto was transferred to Italian club Udinese on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy. He scored four times in his first ten Serie A appearances, helping his team earn six points in the process.

Beto netted a hat-trick in a 5–1 home win over Cagliari on 3 April 2022.

Everton
On 29 August 2023, Beto joined Premier League club Everton on a four-year deal for a reported fee of around £25.8 million (€30 million). The following day, he made his debut and scored his first goal for the Toffees in a 2–1 victory at Doncaster Rovers in the second round of the EFL Cup. His league bow took place on 2 September, when he featured the entire 2–2 draw away to Sheffield United.

Beto scored his first goal in the league on 7 December 2023, closing the 3–0 win over Newcastle United at Goodison Park after playing the last minutes in place of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Twelve days later, he equalised 1–1 against Fulham in the League Cup quarter-finals and later converted his penalty shootout attempt, but the opposition advanced with a 7–6 victory.

International career
In October 2022, Beto was named in a preliminary Portugal 55-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Personal life
Beto idolised Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o as a child, and signed his name as "Beto'o". He named Beethoven's Ninth as his music to listen to before training.

Honours
Individual
 * Primeira Liga Goal of the Season: 2020–21