João Neves
João Pedro Gonçalves Neves
Written by Nuno Travassos, Catarina Pereira and Luís Mateus for A Bola:
Only 19 years old and already untouchable in Benfica’s first XI, he is one of the biggest stars of the team; always focused and dynamic, for ever resilient. The fans love him, cheering every pass and ball recovery, even if it comes after a bad decision. Joao Neves lost his mother hours before the second leg of the Europa League knockout round playoff against Toulouse, but asked to play and was crucial in Benfica’s progress. “That last match in France was very emotive, there is no secret.”, he acknowledged recently. The fans were always with him and when he could finally rest, he cried side by side with António Silva, his teammate for club and country, who was mourning the loss of his grandfather. Neves is taking his first steps with the national team, but looking so comfortable that everyone predicts he will become a fundamental figure sooner rather than later.
