The Inspiring Journey of Goncalo Inacio: From Aspiring Goalkeeper to Star Defender

When Goncalo Inacio was a child, he dreamt of becoming a goalkeeper, but his father had other ideas. Recognizing his son’s talent with his left foot, Goncalo’s dad advised him to stay as a defender, believing his skills would be more valuable in that position. His father was right.

This story follows Goncalo, a footballer who was once offered a place at one of Portugal’s biggest clubs, Benfica. Surprisingly, Goncalo turned down the offer for family reasons, despite not having an offer from Sporting at the time. This decision came after his dad’s car broke down twice while taking him to Benfica training sessions. We’ll reveal more about this intriguing story as you continue reading.

Our Goncalo Inacio Biography tells you Facts about his Childhood Story, Early Life, Parents – (Mrs Inacio) Mother, (Mr Inacio) Father, Family Background, Siblings – Brother (Rodrigo Inacio), etc.

This article about Inacio also breaks down the details of his family origin, Ethnicity, Religion, Hometown, Education, etc. More so, we’ll tell you facts about the Athlete’s salary, Net Worth, Personality and Lifestyle.

Preamble:

We begin Goncalo Inacio’s Biography by telling you notable events of his boyhood years. Next, our article tells the story of his early football journey with Almada A.C. and Sporting CP. Finally, we’ll explore the events that led to the rise of the Portuguese left-footed Defender.

We hope to whet your taste for autobiographies as we engage you with reading Goncalo Inacio’s Biography. To begin doing that, let’s show you this photo gallery that tells his story – from a promising boy with Almada A.C to his gigantic rise as a professional footballer. Without a doubt, Goncalo has come a long way in his amazing life journey.

From the Legendary Cristiano Ronaldo to Joao Moutinho and then from Rafael Leao to Nuno Mendes, Sporting’s famed academy is indeed a blessing to Football. The academy has produced footballers who have made a mark in the beautiful game. Goncalo Inacio is the latest on our list of Sporting CP Greats, a Baller blessed with great talent and a natural left foot.

In our history of telling the stories of Portuguese footballers, we noticed that areas in the Centre-back position have not been fully covered. The truth is, not many people have read an in-depth version of Goncalo Inacio’s Biography, which is super exciting. This is why we have prepared this memoir. Now, without further ado, let’s get started.

Goncalo Inacio Childhood Story:

For starters of his Biography reading, the Portuguese professional footballer bears the nickname ‘The Portuguese Boss’. And his Full Names are Gonçalo Bernardo Inácio. He was born on the 25th day of August 2001 to his Mother, who hails from the Bernardo family, and his Father, Mr. Inacio.

The Centre-Back is one among four children (himself, a brother and two sisters) born to the union between his Mum and Dad. Now, let’s introduce you to Goncalo Inacio’s Parents. To this day, they remain his most trusted advisors, and their emotional support has facilitated Goncalo’s dreams.

Growing-Up Years:

Goncalo Inacio didn’t spend childhood alone but in the company of his brother and sisters. All children, born to the same mother and father, were raised in the Miratejo neighbourhood of Seixal. Seixal is a Portuguese city and municipality located in the district of Setúbal (the birth city of Jose Mourinho).

Among Goncalo Inacio’s siblings, Rodrigo, his younger brother, is often seen as the joy of the family. This is because he was born different from his other siblings, including Goncalo’s little and older sister. It is pertinent to state that Rodrigo Inacio was born with a disability, which implies he is a person with a disability.

The Portuguese professional footballer sees his little brother as a healthy person and not someone with a disability. Let’s not forget that it was Gonzalo who stated that Rodrigo is the joy of the family. Both brothers share a close bond and are always laughing when they are together. Gonzalo sees Rodrigo as very funny, also, someone who tells him very funny jokes.

Now, let’s talk about Goncalo’s childhood personality. Research has it that he was a shy kid who always liked to stay in his corner. Goncalo could barely move and wasn’t the noisy kid who would like lots of fuss over little things. It was only a ball or football-related actions that made him move. You’ll get to know more about him as we progress with this Bio.

Goncalo Inacio’s Early Years:

The Portuguese football began playing soccer in the Miratejo neighbourhood of Seixal. Those who knew Goncalo as a kid often say he was a very happy child, a boy who was always on the street enjoying football with his friends. The Athlete once revealed that he has had the same group of friends since he was five, and surprisingly, they all still hang out to this day.

Goncalo was more than just a happy kid. He developed a huge passion for playing football in the neighbourhood of Miratejo. He was the type of kid who pestered other kids with frequent requests, telling them to come play football with him. When he went home, the boy formed the habit of shooting his football at every corner. And that often led to broken frames and flower vases.

Young Goncalo was just like Gerard Deulofeu and Sebastien Haller, who (as a child) formed the habit of shooting his soccer ball, which often led to the breaking of frames and vases, much to his mother’s despair. While the likes of Denis Zakaria were also guilty of that, Nayef Aguerd’s Mum (a teacher) adopted measures to save her flower vases (as discussed in his Bio).

Football wasn’t the only thing that brought joy to Goncalo Inacio during his childhood. The other thing was his PlayStation, which he spent hours playing with his friends. We are confident he might not be as good as fellow Portuguese footballer Nelson Semedo in FIFA. Nelson was addicted to the FIFA video game console, and he was one of the best in his neighbourhood.

Goncalo Inacio Family Background:

Members of his household have always been Sporting CP fans, and in fact, Goncalo thinks he was born into football. When he was a child, the Athlete enjoyed the company of his Dad, who always took him to the stadium to watch football. Goncalo and his Father always went early to the stadium, something Cody Gakpo also did.

Both father and son had a ritual of going to eat first before a match and then socializing with fans. Goncalo, in particular, felt truly in love with the stadium atmosphere, the fans singing, the shouting of every goal and every good save made by a goalkeeper.

In getting to know Goncalo Inacio’s lineage, it is important to note that his maternal family name is Bernardo, while his paternal side bears the surname – Inácio. His Mum, Inácio, and Dad operated a middle-class household in the Miratejo neighbourhood of Seixal. In their small Portuguese neighbourhood, people get along well, and families know each other.

Goncalo Inacio Family Origin:

Both of the Defender’s parents come from Portugal, and because Goncalo was born in the country, he holds Portuguese nationality. Inacio’s birthplace, Almada, is an 11-minute drive to Miratejo, the neighbourhood he identifies as his roots. It is important to let you know that both Almada and Miratejo are part of the Metropolitan Area of ​​Lisbon.

In the past, Miratejo, where Goncalo Inacio’s family lives, has got a positive reputation. Everyone who enters the town immediately notices the good people that live there, including the comfortable atmosphere. Goncalo Inacio’s parents are proud to have their son as a neighbourhood celebrity. The people of the Miratejo neighbourhood see the Defender as a perfect example of a boy who comes from humble origins and who has fulfilled his dreams.

Goncalo Inacio Ethnicity:

The footballer identifies with the majority of Portugal’s population who is of Portuguese descent. In other words, Goncalo is an Ethnic Portuguese. This ethnic group forms the majority of players in the national team, like Ruben Dias, modern-day full-back Diogo Dalot, defensive midfield master Joao Palhinha, etc.

Goncalo Inacio Education:

According to an interview with Diário de Notícias, when the Baller was four years old, he attended Chalana school. Moving on from there, Goncalo went to Almada, a football school where he learned a lot. From the onset, it has always been football education for Goncalo. He once revealed that he doesn’t know what he would do if it weren’t for soccer. In his words,

If you asked me what I would do if I weren’t a player, I wouldn’t know what to say.

Goncalo Inacio Biography – Football Story:

The very first highlight of the Athlete’s early career came when he had once attempted to switch to a goalkeeper. Goncalo Inacio’s Father resisted the move, and he didn’t let his son do that. Considering his son was left-footed, the proud Dad felt the boy could do something more on the pitch. If Goncalo were right-footed, he wouldn’t even play regularly in his local team because of competition.

The youngster began his career with his local club, Almada. While there, he aspired to progress to a more competitive football academy. Goncalo started out as a central midfielder with the academy. Before he got into Sporting CP academy, the youngster had several trials with other clubs. One of those clubs was Sporting CP’s rivals, Benfica.

It would interest you to know that Goncalo passed his trials with Benfica. Unfortunately, he did not join The Eagles because of an unfortunate reason. The car driven by Goncalo Inacio’s Dad broke down on two separate occasions when he was taking his son to training. Because of that (and another reason), the decision to continue with Benfica came to an abrupt end.

Speaking to the podcast, ADN de Leão, about his story with Benfica, the Defender said,

“I never played competitively with a Benfica youth team, I only did a few training sessions with them. My Dad drove me to the training section twice. At both times, his car broke down.”

During one of those times that Goncalo Inacio’s Car broke down, it became irreparable and stuck. Goncalo’s Dad made a request for a tow truck man. The footballer revealed that during one of the times, the tow truck man sent him and his Dad facing the other side of the road, and their car was being towed.

It is important to correct the notion that Goncalo Inacio did not give up Benfica because of his Dad’s car issues. Speaking with the ADN de Leão podcast, he revealed that he gave up on Benfica because he did not like being there, and it was NOT because of his Dad’s car issues.

Goncalo Inacio Bio – Road to Fame Story:

Although it was risky to leave Sporting’s crosstown rivals Benfica, Goncalo Inacio’s Dad had the belief that his son’s talent would get him into one of their country’s top academies. Luckily, the biggest club in his birth city, (Sporting Lisbon) accepted him in 2012.

When the opportunity to go to Sporting came up, Goncalo didn’t think twice. He became part of the Sporting Academy formation at the age of 11. From the moment he joined the club, the boy could see his future in football.

With each passing year, Goncalo fell more in love with the club and never dreamt of leaving. From a central midfielder, he was moved to the defensive midfielder position. Then Goncalo spent two seasons as a left-back before being returned to the central defensive position.

The moment of Doubt:

During his academy years with Sporting, there came tough moments for Goncalo. It was a time he wasn’t playing, and that made him pile up a lot of worries and things in his head. Luckily, Inacio fought hard and got into the youth first team.

That was when he realized that mentally, he was strong and was prepared to be a professional. A very optimistic Inacio developed the mindset that nothing would stop him from making his dreams come true. As his Father once told him, being a left-footed centre-back can help him make a career. European football is looking for this type of central defender a lot, and Inacio knows he was good.

Learning from his Older Footballers:

Although he learned from older footballers he admired, Goncalo Inacio, to this day, does not have an idol. The Central Defender only have references, and that person is Mathieu. Inacio trained with Jérémy Mathieu when the French footballer was at Sporting, and he helped him a lot.

The other footballer Goncalo referenced was Bruno Fernandes, who played for Sporting until 2020. A year before Bruno left the club, he once took his time to praise Goncalo, and that happened at a time when nobody knew the Defender. Speaking about the unexpected praise by Bruno, Goncalo (who was still a Sporting CP youth player) once said,

It was great to receive praise from a rising star like Bruno Fernandes. I didn’t know him at first, but I saw him watching my training and games many times. So, I think that’s how Bruno discovered me.

Goncalo Inacio Biography – Success Story:

During the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the youngster had a dream in his head that nothing would stop him from making his professional dream come true. The joy of Goncalo Inacio’s Parents and family members knew no bounds when their breadwinner was called to the Sporting CP first team on the 6th of July 2020. In his words,

When I made my debut for the first team… I entered the field, and it really felt like a dream. I couldn’t believe I was playing for Sporting. As soon as I realized it was real, I called my parents and friends.

Because Goncalo was a bit shy, it took some time for the 18-year-old to get used to the senior call-up. As a pro, young Inacio found himself in a team that had several exciting stars.  Those of them we have their Biographies include Gonzalo Plata (Kendry Praz’s idol), Pedro Goncalves, Nuno Mendes, Pedro Porro, Joao Palhinha, and Matheus Nunes.

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim praised Goncalo several times. Indeed, it was good for a young player like him to receive praise from his coach in such a relaxed way. That praise gave him the confidence to focus on his work. Rúben Amorim also helped Goncalo when he had bad moments, like when he received a red card in a game against Braga.

Sporting CP Rise:

After winning the Defender of the Month in December 2021, Inácio scored his first goal for his childhood club three months later. It was a home victory against Vitória de Guimarães. His performance in that match impressed his coach, and it took no time before Rúben Amorim put Goncalo above Luís Neto in the pecking order.

Inacio featured in the domestic league for 20 matches, and he was instrumental in helping Sporting CP become National Champions. It was a special victory for the club and Goncalo because he helped them end their 19-year drought of not winning the League. That incredible feat earned the youngster a contract extension by the club until 2026.

Indeed, it was an incredible feeling to become a champion at a very young age. In his debut season with Sporting CP, young Goncalo won two trophies – the Liga Portugal trophy and the Allianz Cup. He couldn’t explain the feeling but just had to live in the moment.

It is important to tell you that Goncalo Inacio was less than a year old when Sporting CP last won the Liga Portugal trophy (the 2001/2002 season). So, he had no idea what it would be like when they were champions again. Goncalo revealed that on the day of celebrating, he hadn’t seen many fans together as in the procession to Marquês de Pombal.

International Rise:

Being a humble servant to his country’s football, Goncalo represented Portugal at all youth levels – the under 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21. The youngster did not make up Fernando Santos’ 2022 FIFA World Cup squad which had the likes of William Carvalho, the Legendary Pepe (at 39), Raphaël Guerreiro, etc.

Under the reign of new manager Roberto Martínez, Inacio got a revival in his international career. In a historical Euro 2024 qualifier game played on the 11th of September 2023 against Luxembourg, Goncalo scored two goals. Both goals were headers from a Bruno Fernandes pass.

The match ended in a crushing 9-0 win with goals from Inacio, Joao Felix, World Cup hat-trick hero Goncalo Ramos, Ricardo Horta and Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota. Without a doubt, Inacio’s rise in football has made him a serious candidate for becoming a long-term partner of Ruben Dias on the national team. Hence, it is no surprise why Chelsea is willing to offer €50 million for his signature. The rest, as we say, is history.

Who is Goncalo Inacio’s Girlfriend?

With his notable ascent in football, both at club and national levels, it’s evident that the Almada-born talent is on the path to a remarkable career. As the adage goes, behind every successful Portuguese footballer comes a glamorous girlfriend or wife. This has led fans to wonder:

Who is Goncalo Inacio dating?

At the time of writing this Bio (September 21 2023), there isn’t any publicly available information, including on his social media profiles, that indicates Goncalo Inacio is in a relationship. Perhaps, in line with his discreet nature, the Defender prefers to keep his personal life private. However, the football community remains curious, and it’s just a matter of time before more clarity emerges about Goncalo Inacio’s romantic affiliations.

Personality:

You definitely enjoy the way he plies his trade as a versatile Defender. Perhaps you might have asked the question;

Who is Gonçalo Inácio?

First things first, he is the type of Athlete who tries to motivate himself by remembering his good memories whenever he gets a bad day on the pitch. Goncalo is not the type who would go on shouting at himself whenever things go wrong. He keeps everything to himself and that is what he calls his secret formula to managing his life.

Inacio is not a social media person, and it would surprise you that he wouldn’t want to have an Instagram account if it were possible. He felt the need to have one so he could display his career progress to his fans, who are around 127,000 followers, as I write this Bio.

We won’t fail to mention the fact that Goncalo is a very shy person. Sometimes, when he scores, the Baller gets worried that he will be going to the flash interview to face the world. The Central Defender does every possible means to avoid having a press conference.

And it would interest you that Goncalo does not like leaving a club. This is because he knows he would be invited to speak about his departure or arrival at a new club at a presentation. This is the reason why the left-footed Defender has spent more than half of his life with Sporting CP.

Goncalo Inacio Lifestyle:

Getting to know Inacio’s activities outside football will help you know him better. Once upon a time, he was asked about what keeps him busy besides football. Goncalo’s response was simple: PlayStation. In his words,

Most times, I go to training, I come home, and then I play Playstation until am ready to sleep.

Inacio is not a solo gamer like Felipe Anderson. He is just like Teemu Pukki, who prefers to play FIFA with his group of 11 friends; one of them is Pedro Gonçalves, and another is his teammate, Sporting CP Captain Sebastián Coates. They play FIFA almost on a daily basis, and for Goncalo, it is more of an escape.

Goncalo Inacio Car:

The €33,269 he earns weekly at Sporting CP, which is approximately €1,732,649 annually, is capable of getting him a dream car. There is a likelihood that Goncalo should have at least a decent car to take him to train. But as we all know, he is not the type who would go on social media to showcase the car he drives, as most footballers do (the likes of Neymar and Paul Pogba).

Goncalo Inacio Family Life:

As noticed in this memoir, it is not possible to tell the Defenders’ story without mentioning the role of his parents, especially his Dad. This section tells you more insights about members of his household. Without further ado, let’s proceed.

Goncalo Inacio Father:

To start with, the damaged car he once had, which got spoilt twice while on the road to Benfica training, should probably be replaced now. Goncalo Ignacio’s father can take pride in the pivotal career choices he made for his son. Not only was steering him away from goalkeeping a wise move but also leaving Benfica proved beneficial, paving the way for his son to join the family’s favoured club, Sporting CP.

Goncalo Inacio Mother:

Firstly, her efforts in nurturing a child who passionately took to football in the Miratejo (Seixal) neighbourhood are commendable. Yet, Inacio’s Mum faced challenges along the way. Remembering the times young Goncalo inadvertently broke frames and vases at home, she endured the playful mishaps that came with his love for the game.

Goncalo Inacio Siblings:

It is an established fact that the Defender enjoys the company of both his sisters and especially his brother, Rodrigo Inacio. Now, let’s tell you about them.

Rodrigo Inacio:

Goncalo’s brother is often referred to as the family chatterbox. The Defender reveals that when the whole family is at the dining table, Rodrigo is the one who often talks. Goncalo sees his brother as an incredible person who makes jokes and wouldn’t allow anyone to talk.

Whenever Goncalo is troubled at home, it’s Rodrigo who steps in to lift his spirits. Their strong bond is evident both off and on the football field. After witnessing a standout performance from Goncalo with Sporting, Rodrigo often excitedly shares the news with anyone he meets on the streets. He would say,

Did you see what my brother did, that pass…?

Goncalo Inacio Sisters:

The Defender has his sisters as one of his biggest fans. They, especially his older sister (pictured below), watched him grow to become a national champion with a club the family had supported.

Even with his sisters by his side, Goncalo can no longer walk outside without a crowd gathering, asking me for autographs, selfies, and shirts. This comes especially after he scores a goal or his club wins a trophy.

We won’t forget to mention the youngest member of the Inacio family, his little sister. While her big brother, Rodrigo, fills the room with jokes and tales, Goncalo’s little sister lights it up with her spirited charm.

Untold Facts:

In the final phase of Goncalo Inacio’s Biography, we’ll unveil truths you might not know about him. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Goncalo Inacio FIFA:

At just 20 years old, SoFIFA stats indicate three areas where the Defender falls below the average mark of 50: positioning, long shots, and penalty-taking. However, for FIFA Game enthusiasts who engage in career mode, Goncalo (at the time of writing) emerges as a promising Central Defender prospect worth investing in.

Yes, it is true that Portugal is in for a treat in terms of having a strong backline for the future. The country has an older and wiser Reuben Dias, then a Silva and now an Inacio, who is slowly becoming a World Class. The last two footballers remind us of a young Raphel Varane and Thiago Silva.

Goncalo Inacio Salary:

The fast-rising footballer, as of 2023, is among the top five highest-paid players in Sporting CP. The contract Inacio signed with the club sees him earning a sum of €33,269 weekly and €1,732,649 annually.

How rich is the Portuguese Footballer?

In the city where Goncalo Inacio’s parents raised him (Almada), the average worker’s yearly income is approximately 27,537 € (EUR). Interesting fact: it would take such a worker nearly 63 years to match Goncalo’s annual earnings at Sporting CP, which is €1,732,649.

Goncalo Inacio Religion:

While he remains private about personal details, the likelihood is that the 6 foot 1 centre-back, Goncalo, identifies as a Christian. His middle name, “Bernardo,” has deep roots in Christian history, being associated with prominent figures like Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.

EndNote:

Goncalo arrived in the world on the 25th day of August 2001 to Portuguese parents in the city of Almada, Portugal. He spent his childhood with his siblings, a brother who goes by the name Rodrigo Inacio and an older sister. Although Goncalo’s brother, Rodrigo, was born with a disability, he sees him as completely healthy.

Young Gonaclo grew up having a natural likeness for the beautiful game in the Miratejo neighbourhood. As a child, he had a group of friends whom he still keeps to this day. Goncalo would convince his friends to go play soccer with him on the streets. After playing football on the streets, he would continue at home, kicking the ball and breaking a lot of frames, paintings, and vases.

Goncalo’s journey to professional football began with a shared passion with his father. Together, they cherished attending Sporting CP matches. This love for the game eventually led him to join his local team, Almada Atlético Clube.

After impressing at the local team, young Inacio was invited for trials with Benfica. This meant that Goncalo and his dad had to make trips to the trial venue. However, during two of these journeys, their family car faced breakdowns. Coupled with Goncalo’s lack of enthusiasm for the club, he chose not to pursue a future with Benfica.

Goncalo Inacio transitioned to Sporting CP, climbing their academy ladder to turn professional in July 2020. In his inaugural pro season, he played a pivotal role in securing the Primeira Liga and the Taça da Liga titles for his team. From that point on, Goncalo’s career trajectory, representing both club and country, has been meteoric.

Appreciation Note:

Thanks for taking the time to read our version of Goncalo Inacio’s Biography. We care about accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver Portuguese Football Stories as it relates to Central Defenders. Inacio’s Bio is part of our more expansive collection of our European football archives.

Please let us know if you find anything that doesn’t look right in this memoir about the fast-rising Athlete from the Miratejo neighbourhood. Also, let us know what you think about the Portuguese Defender. A Baller who has prioritised deciding his dream club in the upcoming transfer window.

Beyond Goncalo Inacio’s biography, we offer captivating tales from the European football scene. Dive into the compelling life stories of Alessandro Bastoni and Johan Bakayoko to satisfy your craving for intriguing autobiographies.