Gonçalo Esteves

Gonçalo do Lago Pontes Esteves (born 27 February 2004) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Sporting CP.

Club career
Born in Aboim das Choças, Arcos de Valdevez, Esteves started his career with ADC Aboim/Sabadim, before joining Porto. He also spent time on a youth loan at Padroense.

Esteves signed for Sporting CP from Porto in July 2021. He settled well at his new club, and within a week had impressed first-team manager Rúben Amorim enough to secure a place in first team training.

Following good performances for the Lisbon side's B team, Esteves was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation" list for 2021. He scored his first goal for Sporting's B team in a 2–0 victory over Cova da Piedade on 1 October 2021. Two weeks later, he made his first-team debut in the third round of the Taça de Portugal, starting in a 4–0 win at C.F. Os Belenenses. His Primeira Liga debut came on 18 December, again starting in a 3–0 win at Gil Vicente FC; he had been guaranteed his place by Amorim due to the absences of Pedro Porro and Ricardo Esgaio through injury and COVID-19 respectively.

On 30 June 2022, Esteves was loaned to fellow top-flight team G.D. Estoril Praia for the upcoming season. In his second game on 14 August, he was sent off after an hour of a 1–0 loss at Vitória de Guimarães.

On 5 January 2024, Esteves joined Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar on loan until the end of the 2023–24 season, with an option to make the move permanent, reported to be €2 million.

International career
Esteves has represented Portugal at youth international level.

Personal life
Esteves' older brother, Tomás, is also a footballer who plays as a right-back.