João Neves signs new contract

STATEMENTS TO BTV

Linked to the Club since 2012 and after having renewed his contract until 2028 on December 21, 2022, João Neves has now seen his rise in the SL Benfica first team rewarded by signing a new contractual link, although with the same duration, until 2028.

"It's a vote of confidence, a sign that they trust me. I will do more and continue to do what I have done so far", began by stating João Neves, who confessed, in statements to BTV, hat he "never imagined" being where he is today. "I wanted to get as far as possible in this great Club. I worked, and I will continue to work," promised.

For João Neves, the conquest of the Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup is in the past and the goals for the season are vast. "The Super Cup is behind us, we're already focused on Monday [August 14], on a difficult ground, against a good opponent [Boavista]. Individually, I always try to do my best, and collectively I hope to win more [titles]," he stressed.

The midfielder also left a message for the fans at this moment of professional and personal recognition. "Let them continue to support us as they have so far, with them, we are stronger, without a doubt", he stressed.

😍 A mensagem de João Neves! 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/YdEwQVL6GP

— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) August 11, 2023

JOÃO NEVES' CAREER

A native of the Algarve who took his first steps in football at Casa Benfica Tavira in 2012, João Neves evolved for four seasons at the Benfica Development and Training Center in Faro, Algarve. The next step was the passage to Benfica Campus, given in 2016/17.

The midfielder has been through all the levels of Benfica's youth academy. At the age of 17, João Neves made his debut with the U-23s, in the 2021/22 season, and in the same season, he joined the Benfica team that made history by winning the UEFA Youth League, in what was the first trophy of the competition lifted by the Club in its centenary history.

As a result of this achievement, the U-20 Intercontinental Cup final, on August 21, 2022, was the setting for another outstanding appearance by the midfielder, who played as a starter and full time, contributing to the 0-1 victory against Peñarol in Montevideo.

On August 6, 2022, in the 1st round of Liga 2, against Académico de Viseu, João Neves made his debut for Team B and his first appearance in First Team matches came on December 11, in a friendly match against Sevilla.

His Champions League debut took place on February 15, 2023, against Club Brugge, in the 1st leg of the Champions League round of 16.

João Neves ended the 2022/23 season as a starter in the last match of the Championship, against Santa Clara, on matchday 34 of the competition, on May 27, 2023, the day in which the eagles won the 38th National Championship, the first of the midfielder.

🥰🦅 pic.twitter.com/YmWaQPL2He

— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) August 11, 2023

The player from the Algarve started 2023/24 as he ended the previous season: winning! He played for 75 minutes in the conquest of the 9th Cândido Oliveira Super Cup. At the time of signing this new contract, João Neves has 21 official games for Benfica's first team, one goal and more than 700 minutes played.

It should be noted that João Neves has a history of caps for the Portuguese youth teams and was present at the European Under-21 Championship in 2023, in the last off-season, a level for which he made his debut, specifically against Belgium, on June 27.