Footballer João Neves

Benfica">Benfica and the Portugal national team.

João Neves

Neves with Benfica in 2023
Personal information
Full name	João Pedro Gonçalves Neves
Date of birth	(2004-09-27) 27 September 2004 (age 19)
Place of birth	Tavira, Portugal
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Benfica
Number	87
Youth career
	Casa Benfica Tavira
	Benfica Algarve
2016–2022	Benfica
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022	Benfica B	11	(0)
2022–	Benfica	46	(4)
International career‡
2019	Portugal U15	4	(0)
2021–2023	Portugal U19	17	(3)
2023	Portugal U21	6	(1)
2023–	Portugal	5	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:52, 14 April 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:59, 26 March 2024 (UTC)

Coming through Benfica's youth system, Neves impressed during his time with the reserve side, winning the UEFA Youth League in 2021–22, being instrumental part of Benfica's first European trophy in 60 years. He was subsequently promoted to the first-team, making his professional debut at age 18, where he helped Benfica win the league title in his first season with them.

Neves is a former Portugal youth international, representing his country at various levels. He made his senior international debut in 2023.

Early career

Born in Tavira, Neves began his youth career with hometown club Casa Benfica Tavira, one of Benfica's feeder clubs, he then spent four seasons in Benfica's development centre in Algarve, before moving to Benfica's main academy in 2016. Neves signed his first professional contract with Benfica in December 2020.

Benfica

2022–23: Early career and first-team breakthrough

Neves was a part of the Benfica U19 team which topped their 2021–22 UEFA Youth League group against Dynamo Kyiv, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and eventually won the tournament. He made his professional debut with Benfica B in a 1–1 LigaPro draw to Académico de Viseu on 6 August 2022. On 24 August, Neves started in Benfica's 1–0 against Peñarol at the 2022 Under-20 Intercontinental Cup.

During the league break to facilitate the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he made his unofficial debut for Benfica's first team on 11 December 2022, in a closed-doors friendly against Sevilla. During this time, Benfica's first team manager Roger Schmidt invited the him to participate in several first-team training sessions, impressing him with his ability, dedication and maturity on the ball. On December 21, Neves signed a contract extension with Benfica until 2028. He made his debut for the senior team on the first day of 2023, coming on late as a substitute in the 3–0 defeat to Braga in the Primeira Liga. On 7 March, Neves made his UEFA Champions League debut, replacing João Mário in the 74th minute and providing an assist on Benfica's fifth goal, in their 5–1 home win against Club Brugge in the second leg of the Champions League round-of-16.

In the final months of the season, following the depature of Enzo Fernández, Neves eventually earned a place in the starting eleven over Florentino Luís, most notably scoring his first goal for the club on 21 May against crosstown rivals Sporting CP in the Derby de Lisboa, securing his side a draw after they were down by two goals at half-time. He would make 17 league appearances for Benfica as they sealed their first league title in four years, following a 3–0 home win over Santa Clara, on the final day of the league campaign.

2023–24: Second season

Neves started the 2023–24 season, on 9 August, being named man of the match in the 2–0 victory over Porto in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, winning his first trophy back with the club. On 12 November, Neves scored the 94th minute equalizer in an eventual 2–1 league victory over rivals Sporting CP, at the Estádio da Luz; while also receiving the Man of the Match award. Over the following months, Neves established himself as one of the best midfielders in Portugal, being voted as the Primeira Liga's Midfielder of the Month between the months September and December, a feat which he repeated in February and March 2024, with only Braga's Rodrigo Zalazar winning it in January.

Neves represented Portugal at under-15 and under-19, for a total of 21 caps. In June 2023, Neves took part in the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, scoring his first goal on 27 June in a 2–1 against Belgium. Portugal were eliminated from the tournament, on 2 July, after a 1–0 loss to England in the quarter-finals.

On 6 October 2023, Neves was called up to the senior team for the first time for Euro 2024 qualifiers matches against Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He made his senior international debut on 16 October, coming off the bench to replace Otávio in the 85th minute of a 5–0 away victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A footballer praised for his mature, highly developed mental attributes on the field since a young age, João Neves is a quick, agile and technically gifted central midfielder, with notable passing and tackling skills, quick reactions, and close ball control. He is also known for his stamina, bravery and composure on the ball, as well as for his balance and the ability to retain possession in tight spaces when under pressure. In addition, despite his relatively slight frame, he ranks high on the percentile for aerial battles won.

Club

As of match played 18 April 2024