João Neves (footballer)

João Pedro Gonçalves Neves (born 27 September 2004) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Primeira Liga club Benfica and the Portugal national team.

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.

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 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. 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: Primeira Liga Team of Year
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. 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.

International career
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.

On 21 May 2024, he was selected in the 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024. With Portugal having secured qualification from their group, he made his debut in the competiton, starting in the last fixture, featuring in the 2–0 loss to Georgia. He would not feature for Portugal 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.

Style of play
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.

Honours
Benfica Youth Benfica Individual
 * Campeonato Nacional de Juniores: 2021–22
 * UEFA Youth League: 2021–22
 * Under-20 Intercontinental Cup: 2022
 * Primeira Liga: 2022–23
 * Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2023
 * Cosme Damião Awards – Revelation of the Year: 2024
 * Primeira Liga Midfielder of the Month: September 2023, October/November 2023, December 2023, February 2024, March 2024
 * SJPF Young Player of the Month: October/November 2023, February 2024
 * Primeira Liga Team of the Year: 2023–24