From frying chicken to the Premier League: the unlikely rise of striker Beto
In short: Before becoming a professional footballer, Norberto Bercique Gomes Betuncal worked at KFC while playing for amateur side Uniao de Tires. His path to the top flight was unconventional, marked by a rapid ascent from Portugal's third division to the Premier League and eventually a return to Italy's Serie A.
Born in Lisbon to Bissau-Guinean parents, Beto’s career trajectory defies the typical academy-to-pro pipeline. After his stint in the third division with Olimpico do Montijo, where he scored 21 goals in a single season, he transitioned to the Primeira Liga with Portimonense in 2019. His breakthrough came during the 2020–21 campaign, where he emerged as his squad's top scorer and earned the distinction of Primeira Liga Goal of the Season.
His professional journey took him to Udinese in Italy on a loan deal in 2021, where he quickly made an impact by scoring four times in his first ten Serie A appearances. This form paved the way for a high-profile move to Everton in August 2023 for a reported fee of approximately £25.8 million. During his time at Goodison Park, Beto netted 25 times across 113 competitive matches, including notable performances in the Merseyside derby and against Chelsea.
Beyond his club career, Beto’s international path evolved significantly. Initially named in a preliminary 55-man squad for Portugal ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he later chose to represent Guinea-Bissau. Under manager Luis Boa Morte, he earned his first cap in October 2024 and scored his debut international goal against Mozambique the following month. Now at Fiorentina as of September 2026, the striker continues to balance his professional demands with personal interests, including a childhood admiration for Samuel Eto'o—which inspired his early signature, 'Beto'o'—and a penchant for listening to Beethoven’s Ninth before training.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Beto (footballer, born 1998)
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