Juan Pablo Goicochea del Carpio (born 12 January 2005) is a Peruvian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Defensor Sporting, on loan from Platense, and the Peru national team.
Early Life and Youth Career
Born in Lima, Peru, Goicochea began his youth career with Esther Grande, where he remained until the club folded in 2018. He subsequently joined the youth academy of Alianza Lima.
Club Career
Goicochea began training with the Alianza Lima first team in October 2022 and made his professional debut just a week later, on 20 October 2022. His debut had reportedly been delayed due to interest from Brazilian clubs Grêmio and Botafogo. He made a total of four league appearances for Alianza Lima between 2022 and 2023.
In 2024, Goicochea transferred to Platense in the Argentine Primera División. In 2026, he was loaned to Defensor Sporting of the Uruguayan Liga AUF.
International Career
Goicochea has represented Peru at the under-20 and under-23 levels. On his eighteenth birthday (12 January 2023), while playing for Peru in a friendly against Bolivia, he and teammate Kenji Cabrera, along with two Bolivian players, were sent off following a brawl. Goicochea sustained a black eye from a punch thrown by a Bolivian player during the incident. He made his senior debut for the Peru national team in 2026.
Style of Play
Goicochea is known for his physical size, speed of positioning, and goal-scoring ability. He has been labelled as the "new Paolo Guerrero" by Peruvian media. He has cited Claudio Pizarro, Gabriel Jesus, and Jefferson Farfán as players he looks up to and models his game after.
Honours
Platense
- Primera División: 2025 Apertura
