The Portuguese joined the Club last summer to complete our ePremier League duo alongside reigning two-time champion Matias Bonanno.
Joao made history on Sunday night when City beat Leeds duo Niksneb and Tekkz to lift the title for a third successive season, making us the only club to achieve that feat.
For Jafonso, it was an extremely proud moment for him, becoming the first Portuguese to win the trophy, but also equally nerve-racking as he watched Mati win the second leg of the final to claim the title.
“Yeah, I feel really happy winning the ePremier League, of course, [in] my first year playing for City and in the [ePremier] League,” said Jafonso.
“I think it was one of the most nervous moments I have had in my life!”, he admitted when asked what it was like watching Bonanno take on Tekkz in the final.
“It’s way worse watching outside instead of playing. But yeah, I think we built a really good trust this year on the team and I really trust Mati. And yeah, he played really well in the final and we managed to win.”
For the quarter-final and semi-final, experienced ePremier League winner Mati played the first legs against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur. In both, he provided Jafonso with a one-goal and five-goal advantage for the second leg.
So when it was Joao’s turn to take on the first leg in the final against Leeds United, he persevered in a difficult game against Niksneb so he could provide Mati with the same lead for his second leg clash with Tekkz.
“I think I started really well, pressing high,” began Jafonso.
“I scored two goals. I think I could have been leading for three, but then he adapted to me and he drew the game until half-time. And then I think in the second half was a more 50-50 game, but I managed to score a goal and to give Mati a one-goal lead to the second leg.
“However, I felt a little bit short because I felt that I could have won my game by one or two goals, but at the end of the day we won, and that’s the most important thing.
“I think with the two-goal lead at one minute or two minutes left to play, I think it was impossible for them (Tekkz) to equalise.
“So we knew with that goal that was the moment that we knew that the trophy was in our hands.”
Jafonso has been competing in the FC scene since 2020. And over the past six years, the 21-year-old has gained a wealth of experience from key mentors and friends in his life.
One of those mentors was the late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who signed Jafonso to his roster back in 2021.
Joao represented Luna Galaxy for three years, a part of his career that he feels helped him get to this moment and dedicated his ePremier League title to Jota.
“I know how important eSports, in this case FC, was for Diogo,” said Jafonso.
“I worked with him three years, so I think if I’m here now it’s also because of him.
“He helped me when I was 17, so I tried to honour him and I think he will be happy for me.”
