Wikipedia

João Neves

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For the judoka, see João Neves (judoka).

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Gonçalves and the second or paternal family name is Neves.

João Pedro Gonçalves Neves (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒoˈɐ̃w̃ˈnɛves]; born 27 September 2004) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Portugal national team.

João Neves
Neves with Benfica in 2023
Personal information
Full name João Pedro Gonçalves Neves[1]
Date of birth (2004-09-27) 27 September 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Tavira, Portugal[1]
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Paris Saint-Germain
Number 87
Youth career
Casa Benfica Tavira
Benfica Algarve
2016–2022 Benfica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Benfica B 11 (0)
2022–2024 Benfica 50 (4)
2024– Paris Saint-Germain 7 (0)
International career‡
2019–2021 Portugal U15 4 (0)
2021–2023 Portugal U19 17 (3)
2023 Portugal U21 6 (1)
2023– Portugal 11 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:45, 6 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:38, 8 September 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. In August 2024, he joined Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of €60 million.

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

Club career

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.[3] Neves signed his first professional contract with Benfica in December 2020.[4]

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,[5][6] and eventually won the tournament. [7] He made his professional debut with Benfica B in a 1–1 LigaPro draw to Académico de Viseu on 6 August 2022.[3][8] On 24 August, Neves started in Benfica's 1–0 against Peñarol at the 2022 Under-20 Intercontinental Cup.[9]

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.[10] During this time, Benfica's first team manager Roger Schmidt invited 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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13]

In the final months of the season, following the departure 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.[14][15] 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.[16]

2023–24: Primeira Liga Team of Year and departure

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.[17] 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;[18] while also receiving the Man of the Match award.[19] 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.[20] At the end of the season, despite Benfica finishing as runners-up in the league, Neves was named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year.

In July 2024, it was reported that Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) had made an initial bid for Neves of €70 million (£59 million).[21] Their offer was rejected and negotiations continued, with Benfica being adamant that he would not be sold for less than his €120 million release clause, despite PSG agreeing personal terms with Neves.[22] Shortly after, Benfica's President Rui Costa denied that he "would only leave for his release clause and therefore, those claims were false", but confirmed the club had received a bid for him, with negotiations between them and a club still proceeding.[23][24] On 2 August, Rui Costa confirmed Neves' departure to Paris Saint-Germain, stating that he could not refuse a €70 million offer for him, leading Benfica to confirm his transfer three days later.[25][26]

Paris Saint-Germain

On 5 August 2024, Neves signed a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, for a €59.9 million fee plus €10 million in potential add-ons,[27] and Renato Sanches moving in the other direction on a loan deal.[28][29][30] On 16 August, Neves made his official debut in a 4–1 win over Le Havre, coming on as a substitute and assisting Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola's goals.[31][32] On 23 August, he again provided two assists, one each for Barcola and Marco Asensio, in a 6–0 victory over Montpellier. In the process, he set the record for the most assists (four) in his first two Ligue 1 matches, surpassing Neymar's previous record of three assists.[33][34]

International career

Neves represented Portugal at under-15 and under-19, for a total of 21 caps.[35] 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.[36] Portugal were eliminated from the tournament, on 2 July, after a 1–0 loss to England in the quarter-finals.[37]

On 6 October 2023, Neves was called up to the Portuguese team for the first time for UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.[38] He debuted the same year on 16 October, coming off the bench to replace Otávio in the 85th minute of a 5–0 away victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina.[39]

On 21 May 2024, Neves was selected in the 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.[40] With Portugal having secured qualification from their group, he debuted in the competition as a starter in a 2–0 loss against Georgia.[41][42] Neves did not appear in the knockout stage as they were eliminated from the tournament in the quarter-finals after losing to France 5–3 in a penalty shootout.[43]

Style of play

A footballer praised for his mature, highly developed mental attributes on the field since a young age,[44] 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.[45][46]

Neves usually played for Benfica as a deep-lying playmaker, primarily playing in a double pivot in a 4–2–3–1 formation. There, he had a key role in their attempts to dictate possession. Neves usually dropped deep and received the ball, at times inside his own box. His acceleration over short distances allows him to create distance from his marker, without needing too much disguise or deceptive movement. His versatility also allows him to drop between central defenders, or between a central defender and full-back, to create overloads in the build phase. His most potent ability is evading this pressure, using his agility and low centre of gravity to roll away to the opposite side of the defender's approach and accelerate into the space beyond. His athletic attributes enable him to excel in the counter-press, where he reacts immediately to losing possession, engaging the opposing ball-carrier to restrict their time and space.[47][48]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 6 October 2024[49]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Benfica B 2022–23 Liga Portugal 2 11 0 — — — — 11 0
Benfica 2022–23 Primeira Liga 17 1 0 0 0 0 3[a] 0 — 20 1
2023–24 Primeira Liga 33 3 6 0 3 0 12[b] 0 1[c] 0 55 3
Total 50 4 6 0 3 0 15 0 1 0 75 4
Paris Saint-Germain 2024–25 Ligue 1 7 0 0 0 — 2[a] 0 0 0 9 0
Career total 68 4 6 0 3 0 17 0 1 0 95 4
  1. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira

International

As of match played 8 September 2024[50]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Portugal 2023 3 0
2024 8 0
Total 11 0

Honours

Benfica Youth

Benfica

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b João Neves at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ "João Neves". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b "João Neves profile". record.pt (in Portuguese). 28 November 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  4. ^ "João Neves assina contrato profissional" [João Neves signs professional contract]. slbenfica.pt (in Portuguese). 11 December 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Youth League: Benfica-Bayern". O Jogo (in European Portuguese). 20 October 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Categórico escreveu-se com golos". SL Benfica (in Portuguese). 20 October 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Benfica: a história dos 24 jogadores que venceram a Youth League". maisfutebol.iol.pt. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  8. ^ "João Neves signs new contract". www.slbenfica.pt. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  9. ^ Entrou, marcou, decidiu: Benfica vence Peñarol no mítico Centenário com golo de Luís Semedo e conquista Taça Intercontinental Sub-20
  10. ^ "Benfica-Sevilha, 0-1: os destaques das águias". CNN Portugal (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Benfica anuncia renovação com João Neves". CNN Portugal (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  12. ^ "João Neves: «Passados dez anos de muito esforço, alcancei o meu sonho»". CNN Portugal (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  13. ^ Abola.pt (7 March 2023). "Benfica «Especial é jogar com a camisola do Benfica» | Abola.pt". Abola.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Sporting-Benfica: João Neves arrancou empate ao cair do pano". O Jogo. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  15. ^ "VÍDEO: João Neves, aos 90+4, dá empate ao Benfica em Alvalade". CNN Portugal (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  16. ^ "The justice of those who became champions early on!". www.slbenfica.pt. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Ángel Di María and Petar Musa on target as Benfica beat Porto 2-0 in the Super Cup". OneFootball. 9 August 2023.
  18. ^ Roseiro, Bruno (12 November 2023). "João Neves, um gigante dois em um que vê soluções e esconde problemas (a crónica do Benfica-Sporting)" [João Neves, a two-for-one giant that sees solutions and hides problems (Benfica-Sporting chronicle)]. Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  19. ^ "João Neves eleito "Homem do Jogo" no dérbi, mas houve outros destaques" [João Neves chosen as "Man of the Match" in the derby, but there were other highlights]. OneFootball (in European Portuguese). 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  20. ^ "João Neves: Benfica's Homegrown Superstar in Midfield". Breaking the Lines. 29 March 2024.
  21. ^ "Trouble for Man Utd as PSG outbid Red Devils with €70m offer for Benfica star Joao Neves". Goal. 11 July 2024.
  22. ^ "AGREEMENT REACHED IN PRINCIPLE BETWEEN PSG AND JOÃO NEVES". Get French Football News. 16 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Benfica confirm they have received bid for Arsenal, Man Utd & PSG target Joao Neves as club president hints they may accept bid lower than €120m release clause". Goal. 20 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Rui Costa sobre João Neves: «Há uma proposta em cima da mesa que está a ser avaliada»". ABola. 20 July 2024.
  25. ^ "Rui Costa justifica saída de João Neves: "Verbas de 70 milhões são impossíveis de abdicar"" [Rui Costa justifies João Neves' departure: "Funds of 70 million are impossible to refuse"]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 2 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Benfica presta esclarecimento sobre João Neves" [Benfica provides clarification on João Neves]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  27. ^ "João Neves deixa o Benfica para rumar ao Paris Saint-Germain por 59,9 ME". RTP Desporto (in Portuguese). 5 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Paris Saint-Germain signs Portuguese midfielder João Neves". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  29. ^ "PSG confirm Joao Neves signing on five-year contract". The Athletic. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  30. ^ "Sai João Neves, entra Renato Sanches. Os detalhes do acordo Benfica-PSG". Desporto ao Minuto. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  31. ^ "PSG opens post-Mbappé era with 4-1 win at Le Havre in French league". Newsday. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  32. ^ "João Neves makes debut". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  33. ^ Cassé, Josué (23 August 2024). "La statistique hallucinante de João Neves avec le PSG". Foot Mercato (in French). Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  34. ^ "João Neves Breaks Neymar Jr.'s Impressive Ligue 1 Record, Stat Reveals". Yahoo! Sports. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  35. ^ "João Neves". Portuguese Football Federation (in Portuguese). Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  36. ^ "History: Portugal 2-1 Belgium | UEFA Under-21 2023".
  37. ^ Howell, Alex (2 July 2023). "England U21 1-0 Portugal U21". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  38. ^ "Roberto Martinez convoca para Eslováquia e Bósnia". Portuguese Football Federation (in Portuguese). 6 October 2023.
  39. ^ "João Neves é o segundo estreante da "era" Roberto Martínez" [João Neves is the second debutant of the Roberto Martínez "era"]. Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (in Portuguese). 16 October 2023.
  40. ^ "Convocados para o Euro 2024" [Called up for Euro 2024]. Portuguese Football Federation (in Portuguese). 21 May 2024.
  41. ^ Fisher, Ben (26 June 2024). "Kvaratskhelia propels Georgia to last 16 with famous win over Portugal". The Guardian.
  42. ^ "Georgia 2–0 Portugal". UEFA. 26 June 2024.
  43. ^ Sanders, Emma (5 July 2024). "Portugal 0–0 France (France win 5–3 on pens)". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  44. ^ "João Félix: «O Neves tem 19 anos, mas parece que tem 30»". Maisfutebol (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  45. ^ "João Neves: Benfica's Homegrown Gem". Breaking The Lines. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  46. ^ Roseiro, Bruno. "João Neves, um gigante dois em um que vê soluções e esconde problemas (a crónica do Benfica-Sporting)". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  47. ^ "João Neves position and style of play". The Coaches Voice. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  48. ^ "JOAO NEVES : THE ANATOMY OF A MIDFIELD DYNAMO". Medium. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  49. ^ João Neves at Soccerway
  50. ^ João Neves at National-Football-Teams.com  
  51. ^ Raio X de Jogador João Neves Benfica zerozero.pt
  52. ^ Conheça os 24 heróis da Youth League (Benfica)
  53. ^ "Sub-20: a Taça Intercontinental é nossa!" (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  54. ^ Kundert, Tom (27 May 2023). "Benfica crowned champions of Portugal". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  55. ^ Vaza, Marco (9 August 2023). "Benfica soube mudar para ganhar a Supertaça". Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  56. ^ "Gala Cosme Damião: João Neves, Roger Schmidt e Kika Nazareth entre os premiados". ZeroZero (in Portuguese). 26 March 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  57. ^ "João Neves eleito VITO Médio do Mês de setembro da Liga Portugal Betclic" [João Neves elected Liga Portugal Betclic's VITO Midfielder of the Month for September]. Liga Portugal (in European Portuguese). 11 October 2023.
  58. ^ "João Neves named once again VITO Midfielder of the Month in Liga Portugal Betclic". Liga Portugal. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  59. ^ "João Neves wins the VITO Midfielder of the Month for the third time in a row". Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  60. ^ "João Neves recebe prémios VITO Médio do Mês da Liga Portugal Betclic". Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  61. ^ "João Neves eleito VITO Médio do Mês de março da Liga Portugal Betclic". Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  62. ^ "João Neves recebe prémio de Melhor Jovem de outubro/novembro da Liga Betclic" (in Portuguese). Benfica. 31 December 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  63. ^ "Liga: João Neves eleito Melhor Jovem de fevereiro da Liga Betclic" (in Portuguese). Benfica. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  64. ^ "Jota Silva fecha o 'Onze do Ano' da Primeira Liga". Sapo Desporto (in Portuguese). 13 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  • Profile at the S.L. Benfica website
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