Joao Neves: The New Portuguese Midfield Maestro

Joao Neves is a talented midfield who is touted to run the midfield for Portugal for the next decade. He will play alongside the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo and other world-class players like Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Costa in the Portuguese national team.

The emergence of Joao Neves coincides with the rise of other young midfield talents like Kobbie Mainoo, Florian Wirtz and Jude Bellingham. Join us as we explore the interesting adventures of Joao Neves.

Player Profile – João Pedro Gonçalves Neves

João Neves, born on September 27, 2004, is a promising Portuguese midfielder currently playing for S.L. Benfica. A product of Benfica’s youth academy, Neves broke into the first team during the 2022-2023 season. He scored his first goal in the Derby de Lisboa against Sporting CP, helping his team to a draw.

Joao Neves is known for his composure, vision, and ability to control the game, Neves is seen as a future star for both his club and the Portuguese national team.

Player Profile Overview

Joao Neves’ Early Life and Background

João Pedro Gonçalves Neves, known simply as João Neves, was born on September 27, 2004, in Tavira, a coastal town in the Algarve region of Portugal. From a young age, João showed a passion and talent for football, beginning his journey in the sport at local clubs like Casa Benfica Tavira and Benfica Algarve.

Recognizing his potential, João Neves joined the prestigious youth academy of S.L. Benfica in 2016. The club’s renowned developmental program provided him with top-tier coaching and facilities, nurturing his skills as a midfielder and preparing him for a career in professional football.

Playing Style and Strength

João Neves is renowned for his mature mental attributes, agility, technical skill, and composure from a young age. He excels in passing, tackling, quick reactions, and close ball control.

Neves is also noted for his stamina, bravery, balance, and ability to retain possession under pressure. Despite a slight frame, he performs well in aerial battles.

Joao Neves’ Career Highlights

Joao Neves began his youth career with Casa Benfica Tavira and later spent four seasons at Benfica’s development center in Algarve. In 2016, he moved to Benfica’s main academy and signed his first professional contract with Benfica in December 2020.

He was part of the Benfica U19 team that topped their 2021–22 UEFA Youth League group and won the tournament. Neves made his professional debut with Benfica B in a 1–1 LigaPro draw against Académico de Viseu on 6 August 2022 and started in Benfica’s 1–0 win against Peñarol at the 2022 Under-20 Intercontinental Cup on 24 August.

Making his Benfica Debut

During the 2022 FIFA World Cup break, he made his unofficial debut for Benfica’s first team on December 11, 2022, in a friendly against Sevilla.

Benfica’s first-team manager Roger Schmidt was impressed with his ability, dedication, and maturity, leading to several first-team training sessions. On December 21, Neves extended his contract with Benfica until 2028.

He made his official senior team debut on January 1, 2023, as a late substitute in a 3–0 defeat to Braga in the Primeira Liga. On March 7, he debuted in the UEFA Champions League, assisting on Benfica’s fifth goal in their 5–1 victory over Club Brugge in the round-of-16.

Winning the Primeira Liga and Becoming a First Team Regular

After the departure of Enzo Fernández to Chelsea, Neves secured a spot in the starting eleven over Florentino Luís. He notably scored his first goal for Benfica on May 21 against Sporting CP in the Derby de Lisboa, helping to secure a draw after being two goals down at halftime.

Neves made 17 league appearances and contributed to Benfica winning their first league title in four years with a 3–0 victory over Santa Clara on the final day of the campaign. He was one of the rising wonder kids in the Benfica alongside defender Antonio Silva.

Joao Neves Makes Primeira Liga Team of the Year

Joao Neves had a standout 2023-24 season. He started strong by being named Man of the Match in Benfica’s 2-0 victory over Porto in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira on August 9, earning his first trophy since returning to the club.

On November 12, Neves scored a crucial 94th-minute equalizer in a 2-1 league victory against rivals Sporting CP and was again named Man of the Match.

Throughout the season, he was recognized as one of Portugal’s top midfielders, winning the Primeira Liga’s Midfielder of the Month award from September to December and again in February and March 2024.

Behind Joao Neves’ performances, Benfica finished the season as league runners-up. He was impressive during the season and as a result, was named to the Primeira Liga Team of the Year.

Joao Neves’ International Career

Joao Neves started his international career with the Portuguese youth teams. During his time with the youth teams, he earned 21 caps with the U15 and U19 sides.

In June 2023, he participated in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, scoring his first goal on 27 June in a 2–1 victory against Belgium. Portugal was eliminated in the quarter-finals on 2 July after a 1–0 loss to England courtesy of an Anthony Gordon goal.

Joao Neves received his first senior team call-up on 6 October 2023 for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He made his senior debut on 16 October, substituting Otávio in the 85th minute during a 5–0 away win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

His impressive performance for Benfica means he is a regular feature for the Portuguese national team and is part of the exciting Portuguese side that includes Antonio Silva, Diogo Dalot and Goncalo Inacio.

Comparison with other Football Elites

There have been comparisons between Joao Neves as potentially the Portuguese version of Marco Verratti, who was known for his midfield orchestration at Paris Saint-Germain.

Verratti, now playing for Al-Arabi in Qatar, was praised for his passing ability and ball control in his prime, despite his lack of height. Neves shares Verratti’s style and game-reading ability, noting that Neves is approaching Verratti’s level at a young age.

Personal Life

Joao Neves faced a difficult start to his career due to the loss of his mother this year. Sara Gonçalves, aged 50, passed away after battling cancer for a very long time.

Conclusion

João Neves stands out as a rising star in Portuguese football, showcasing maturity and skill beyond his years at S.L. Benfica. With a promising start to his professional career, including key performances and a pivotal role in Benfica’s recent league success, Neves has cemented himself as a player to watch in the coming seasons.

His journey from the youth academy to the first team highlights his potential to become a significant figure in both club and international football, making him an exciting prospect for the future.