João Victor Machado Cruz (born 12 May 2006), known as João Cruz, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Athletico Paranaense. Career Born in São Paulo, João Cruz joined Athletico Paranaense's youth sides in 2018, aged 12. On 4 December 2022, he signed his first professional contract with the club, after agreeing to a three-year deal. João Cruz made his first team debut with Furacão on 8 May 2024, coming on as a second-half substitute for Bruno Zapelli in a 5–1 away routing of Deportivo Rayo Zuliano, for the year's Copa Sudamericana. On 6 June, he renewed his link until February 2028, and made his Série A debut twenty days later, replacing Nikão in a 2–0 away loss to Cruzeiro.