João Mário (footballer, born January 1993)

João Mário Naval da Costa Eduardo ComM (born 19 January 1993), known as João Mário (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒuˈɐ̃w ˈmaɾju, ˈʒwɐ̃w -]), is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Süper Lig club Beşiktaş, on loan from Primeira Liga club Benfica.

João Mário
João Mário with Benfica in 2021
Personal information
Full name João Mário Naval da Costa Eduardo[1]
Date of birth (1993-01-19) 19 January 1993 (age 31)[2]
Place of birth Porto, Portugal[2]
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[3][2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Beşiktaş
(on loan from Benfica)
Number 18
Youth career
2002–2004 Porto
2004–2012 Sporting CP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2016 Sporting CP 65 (11)
2012–2013 Sporting CP B 44 (2)
2014Vitória Setúbal (loan) 15 (0)
2016–2021 Inter Milan 64 (4)
2018West Ham United (loan) 13 (2)
2019–2020Lokomotiv Moscow (loan) 18 (1)
2020–2021Sporting CP (loan) 28 (2)
2021– Benfica 94 (23)
2024–Beşiktaş (loan) 8 (0)
International career
2007–2008 Portugal U15 3 (0)
2008–2009 Portugal U16 9 (3)
2009–2010 Portugal U17 17 (4)
2010–2011 Portugal U18 9 (1)
2010–2012 Portugal U19 17 (2)
2012–2013 Portugal U20 14 (1)
2013–2015 Portugal U21 13 (3)
2014–2023 Portugal 56 (3)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Portugal
UEFA European Championship
Winner 2016 France
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:45, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

He started out at Sporting CP in whose youth system he developed, being loaned to Vitória de Setúbal in 2014 and subsequently returning to be an important part of the squads that won major trophies, including the 2015 Taça de Portugal. In 2016 he joined Inter Milan, having loan spells at West Ham United and Lokomotiv Moscow prior to rejoining Sporting, also on loan, in 2020, where he won the Primeira Liga title. He then spent three full seasons with Benfica, winning another league in 2022–23 while scoring 17 goals.

João Mário made his senior debut for Portugal in 2014. He was named in the squads for Euro 2016 and the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, winning the 2016 tournament.

Club career

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Sporting CP

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Following a brief youth spell with local Porto in his hometown, where he was deployed as a central defender, João Mário moved to Sporting CP in 2004 at the age of 11, going on to complete his development with the Lisbon club.[4] On 14 December 2011 he was called for a UEFA Europa League group stage game away against Lazio, alongside youth graduates Betinho, Ricardo Esgaio, Tiago Ilori and João Carlos, as the Lions had already secured the first place in its group: he entered the pitch in the 76th minute of the 2–0 away loss, after replacing Oguchi Onyewu.[5]

João Mário's first full season as a senior was 2012–13, as he appeared in 31 games (30 as a starter) for Sporting CP B in the Segunda Liga, with the team finishing in fourth position. On 8 January 2014 he was loaned to Vitória de Setúbal for the remainder of the campaign,[6] starting in all but one Primeira Liga matches he appeared in and being voted the league's best young player for January and February.[7]

On 31 May 2015, again with Sporting' main squad, João Mário started in the final of the Taça de Portugal against Braga, but was substituted in the first half due to the dismissal of defender Cédric Soares, in order to bring on Miguel Lopes; Sporting eventually won in a penalty shootout.[8]

Inter Milan

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On 27 August 2016, João Mário signed with Inter Milan for €40 million plus €5 million in bonuses.[9][10] His maiden appearance in Serie A occurred on 11 September when he played the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 victory at Pescara,[11][12] and his first goal for the team opened a loss by the same score at home to Cagliari on 16 October.[13]

Under new manager Luciano Spalletti, João Mário grew increasingly frustrated about the lack of playing time.[14][15] On 25 January 2018, he signed on loan for Premier League team West Ham United[16]– the contract included a €1.5 million loan fee, and an option for the club to buy the player for a sum in the region of €40 million.[17] He made his debut two days later, replacing Pablo Zabaleta at half-time in a 2–0 away loss to Wigan Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup.[18]

João Mário scored his first goal for West Ham on 31 March 2018, helping the hosts to defeat Southampton 3–0.[19] He made 14 competitive appearances during his half-season spell, scoring twice, and was praised for his work rate.[20]

On 27 August 2019, João Mário joined Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow on a season-long loan.[21][22] On 6 October 2020, also on loan, he returned to Sporting.[23] He scored his first goal in his second spell on 27 December, from a penalty to close a 2–1 away win against B-SAD.[24] He contributed another until the end of the campaign (from 28 appearances),[25] helping his team to win the league for the first time in 19 years.[26]

On 12 July 2021, Inter announced they had reached an agreement to early terminate João Mário's contract by mutual consent.[27]

Benfica

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João Mário joined Benfica on 13 July 2021, on a five-year deal.[28] He scored his first competitive goal on 10 August, opening the 2–0 home victory over Spartak Moscow in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.[29]

In the following edition of that tournament, João Mário scored four times in the group stage;[30] this included a first-half penalty in a 2–1 away victory of Juventus on 14 September 2022,[31][32] and the sixth goal in the 92nd minute of the 6–1 win at Maccabi Haifa on 2 November that qualified his team as group winners on away goal difference.[33] He added a career-best 17 in the league for the champions.[34]

João Mário scored his first career hat-trick on 29 November 2023, with all goals coming in the first half of an eventual 3–3 home draw against his former club Inter Milan in the Champions League group phase; he also became the first player to achieve the feat for Benfica in the competition's format.[35]

On 4 September 2024, João Mário was loaned to Beşiktaş until the end of the season with an option to buy.[36]

International career

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João Mário with the Portugal U19 team in 2012

Of Angolan descent,[37] João Mário earned 82 caps for Portugal at youth level, including 13 for the under-21 team.[38] He made his senior debut on 11 October 2014, replacing Cristiano Ronaldo for the final 14 minutes of the friendly against France in Paris: soon after coming on, he was fouled by Paul Pogba for a penalty converted by Ricardo Quaresma, in an eventual 2–1 loss.[39]

João Mário represented Portugal at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2015, netting the only goal of their opening group win over England[40] as the tournament ended with a runner-up finish.[41] He was selected by the full side for their UEFA Euro 2016 campaign,[42] starting in the first match, a 1–1 draw with Iceland in Saint-Étienne;[43] he played in all of his team's seven games during Euro 2016, including the final against France which they won.[44][45]

João Mário scored his first goal for the nation on 10 November 2017, closing the 3–0 friendly defeat of Saudi Arabia.[46] Subsequently, he was included in the final squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[47]

In November 2022, João Mário was named in the squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.[48] The following 28 May, he announced his retirement from international play.[49]

Personal life

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João Mário's older brother, Wilson, is also a footballer. He too graduated from Sporting's youth academy.[50]

In June 2022, João Mário married Marta Branco Oliveira with whom he already had a 1-year-old daughter.[51]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 17 August 2024[52]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sporting CP 2011–12 Primeira Liga 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 1 0
2012–13 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2014–15 30 5 6 2 0 0 8[d] 0 44 7
2015–16 33 6 2 0 2 0 7[e] 1 1[f] 0 45 7
Total 64 11 8 2 2 0 16 1 1 0 91 14
Vitória Setúbal (loan) 2013–14 Primeira Liga 15 0 0 0 1 0 16 0
Inter Milan 2016–17 Serie A 30 3 2 0 0 0 32 3
2017–18 14 0 1 0 15 0
2018–19 20 1 2 0 0 0 22 1
Total 64 4 5 0 0 0 69 4
West Ham United (loan) 2017–18 Premier League 13 2 1 0 14 2
Lokomotiv Moscow (loan) 2019–20 Russian Premier League 18 1 0 0 4[g] 0 22 1
Sporting CP (loan) 2020–21 Primeira Liga 28 2 3 0 3 0 0 0 34 2
Benfica 2021–22 Primeira Liga 28 3 2 0 3 0 12[g] 1 45 4
2022–23 33 17 4 0 0 0 14[g] 6 51 23
2023–24 31 3 6 2 3 1 10[h] 3 1[f] 0 51 9
2024–25 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 94 23 12 2 6 1 36 10 1 0 149 36
Career total 296 43 29 4 12 1 56 11 2 0 395 59
  1. ^ Includes Taça de Portugal, Coppa Italia, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes Taça da Liga
  3. ^ Appearance in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, five appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ a b Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  7. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  8. ^ Five appearances and three goals in UEFA Champions League, five appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[53]
National team Year Apps Goals
Portugal 2014 2 0
2015 4 0
2016 17 0
2017 8 1
2018 11 1
2019 3 0
2020 0 0
2021 5 0
2022 5 1
2023 1 0
Total 56 3
Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each João Mário goal.[54][46][53]
List of international goals scored by João Mário
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 10 November 2017 Fontelo, Viseu, Portugal   Saudi Arabia 3–0 3–0 Friendly
2 28 May 2018 Estádio Municipal, Braga, Portugal   Tunisia 2–0 2–2 Friendly
3 17 November 2022 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal   Nigeria 4–0 4–0 Friendly

Honours

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Sporting CP

Benfica

Portugal

Individual

  • Primeira Liga Team of the Year: 2022–23[59]
  • Primeira Liga Player of the Month: December 2022/January 2023,[60] February 2023[61]
  • Primeira Liga Midfielder of the Month: December 2022/January 2023,[62] February 2023,[63] March 2023[64]

Orders

References

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  1. ^ "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "João Mário" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Joao Mario". Inter Milan. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  4. ^ Lopes, Gonçalo (17 May 2016). "João Mário. Um central transformado num médio de classe" [João Mário. Stopper turned into classy midfielder]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  5. ^ Menicucci, Paolo (14 December 2011). "Clinical Lazio through after Sporting triumph". UEFA. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  6. ^ Toucedo, Rafael (8 January 2014). "João Mário emprestado ao V. Setúbal" [João Mário loaned to V. Setúbal]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  7. ^ "João Mário (Vitória de Setúbal) eleito melhor jogador jovem janeiro/fevereiro" [João Mário (Vitória de Setúbal) voted best young player for January/February]. Expresso (in Portuguese). 4 March 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  8. ^ Godinho, João Paulo (31 May 2015). "Sporting faz a festa da Taça nos penáltis" [Sporting get Cup party going on penalties] (in Portuguese). SAPO. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  9. ^ "Comunicado" [Announcement] (Press release) (in Portuguese). Sporting CP. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  10. ^ Campanale, Susy (27 August 2016). "Official: Inter sign Joao Mario". Football Italia. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Doppietta di Icardi e l'Inter passa a Pescara" [Icardi brace and Inter takes it in Pescara]. Il Messaggero (in Italian). 11 September 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  12. ^ "Pescara-Inter 1–2, doppietta di Icardi" [Pescara-Inter 1–2, Icardi brace] (in Italian). Quotidiano.net. 11 September 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  13. ^ Liotta, Christian (16 October 2016). "Joao Mario deceives, Melchiorri gives victory to Cagliari". FC Inter News. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  14. ^ "Inter 'don't want to lose Joao Mario'". Football Italia. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  15. ^ Lovett, Samuel (20 December 2017). "Manchester United target Joao Mario won't be leaving Inter Milan, says club director". The Independent. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  16. ^ Stone, Simon (26 January 2018). "Joao Mario: Inter Milan midfielder completes loan move to West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  17. ^ "Figures behind Joao Mario's West Ham move revealed as player completes medical". Calciomercato. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  18. ^ Mullen, Andrew (27 January 2018). "Wigan Athletic 2–0 West Ham United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  19. ^ Henry, Matthew (31 March 2018). "West Ham United 3–0 Southampton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  20. ^ Dyer, Ken (29 May 2018). "West Ham keen on second Joao Mario loan". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  21. ^ "Жоао Марио – в "Локомотиве"!" [João Mário – to Lokomotiv!] (in Russian). FC Lokomotiv Moscow. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  22. ^ "João Mário leaves for Lokomotiv Moscow". Inter Milan. 28 August 2019. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  23. ^ "João Mário de regresso ao Sporting CP" [João Mário returns to Sporting CP] (in Portuguese). Sporting CP. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  24. ^ Marques, David (27 December 2020). "Belenenses-Sporting, 1–2 (crónica)" [Belenenses-Sporting, 1–2 (match report)] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  25. ^ Pereira, António Pedro (15 February 2021). "Até na monotonia este Sporting brilha" [This Sporting can even shine in dullness]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Sporting é campeão de Portugal ao fim de 19 anos" [Sporting are champions of Portugal after 19 years] (in Portuguese). UEFA. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  27. ^ "FC Internazionale Milano statement". Inter Milan. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  28. ^ "É oficial: João Mário assina pelo Benfica. Confira os detalhes" [It's official: João Mário signs for Benfica. Check the details]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  29. ^ Ribeiro, Patrick (10 August 2021). "João Mário goal sees Benfica through with comfort". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  30. ^ "Champions League best scorers after group stage: Lewandowski 2nd". Tribuna. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  31. ^ "Juventus 1–2 Benfica". BBC Sport. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  32. ^ "Juventus-Benfica: João Mário fez o empate de penálti e gerou-se discussão entre jogadores" [Juventus-Benfica: João Mário drew from a penalty and a player quarrel ensued]. Record (in Portuguese). 14 September 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  33. ^ "Maccabi Haifa 1–6 Benfica". BBC Sport. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  34. ^ "Taremi, melhor marcador do campeonato, está no "ponto caramelo"" [Taremi, the championship's top scorer, has reached "boiling point"]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  35. ^ Roseiro, Bruno (29 November 2023). "A vingança de João Mário acabou traída pela não frieza de Schmidt (a crónica do Benfica-Inter)" [João Mário's revenge ended up betrayed by Schmidt's non-coldness (Benfica-Inter report)]. Observador (in Portuguese). Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  36. ^ "Beşiktaşımıza Hoş Geldin Joao Mario" [Welcome to Beşiktaş João Mário] (in Turkish). Beşiktaş J.K. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  37. ^ "A seleção de Portugal de sangue mais africano" [The Portugal national team with the most African blood] (in Portuguese). EFE. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  38. ^ "João Mário: «Seria o máximo fazer o jogo 100 na final do Euro'2016»" [João Mário: "To play the 100th game at the Euro'2016 final would be a blast"]. Record (in Portuguese). 18 March 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  39. ^ "France 2–1 Portugal: Pogba and Benzema on target for Les Bleus". Goal. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  40. ^ Jurejko, Jonathan (18 June 2015). "England U21 0–1 Portugal U21". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  41. ^ a b Kell, Tom (30 June 2015). "Spot-on Sweden beat Portugal to win U21 EURO". UEFA. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  42. ^ "Portugal name Bayern Munich signing Renato Sanches for Euros squad". ESPN FC. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  43. ^ Burke, Chris (14 June 2016). "Ice-cool Iceland claim Portugal point". UEFA. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  44. ^ a b McNulty, Phil (10 July 2016). "Portugal 1–0 France". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  45. ^ "Nine things you didn't know about Joao Mario". West Ham United F.C. 26 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  46. ^ a b Santiago, Eduardo (10 November 2017). "Portugal vence Arábia Saudita com golos de Manuel Fernandes, Gonçalo Guedes e João Mário" [Portugal beat Saudi Arabia with goals from Manuel Fernandes, Gonçalo Guedes and João Mário] (in Portuguese). SAPO. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  47. ^ "Nearly half Portugal's Euro squad to miss World Cup". Special Broadcasting Service. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  48. ^ "Os 26 convocados de Portugal: Gonçalo Ramos, António Silva, Otávio e Matheus Nunes chamados" [Portugal select 26: Gonçalo Ramos, António Silva, Otávio and Matheus Nunes called] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  49. ^ "João Mário anuncia adeus à seleção nacional: «Peço que respeitem a minha decisão»" [João Mário announces goodbye to the national team: "I ask that my decision is respected"]. Record (in Portuguese). 28 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  50. ^ "Wilson Eduardo considera João Mário promissor" [Wilson Eduardo sees promise in João Mário]. Record (in Portuguese). 16 February 2013. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  51. ^ Oliveira, Sara (26 June 2022). "Futebolista João Mário junta craques da seleção em casamento" [Footballer João Mário assembles national team stars at wedding]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  52. ^ a b c João Mário at Soccerway
  53. ^ a b "João Mário". European Football. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  54. ^ "Portugal 2–2 Tunisia". BBC Sport. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  55. ^ "Sporting CP want to keep hold of midfielder Joao Mario but are struggling to reach agreement with Inter, Italian media report". Sempre Inter. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  56. ^ Ribeiro, Patrick (23 January 2021). "Sporting battle their way to League Cup glory with victory over Braga". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  57. ^ Kundert, Tom (27 May 2023). "Benfica crowned champions of Portugal". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  58. ^ Vaza, Marco (9 August 2023). "Benfica soube mudar para ganhar a Supertaça" [Benfica knew how to change to win Supercup]. Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  59. ^ "João Mário eleito para o meio-campo do Onze do Ano da I Liga" [João Mário voted to I League All-Star XI's midfield] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  60. ^ "João Mário foi eleito Jogador do Mês da Liga Bwin" [João Mário was voted Bwin League Player of the Month]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 17 February 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  61. ^ "João Mário renamed Liga Portugal bwin Player of the Month". Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  62. ^ "Liga: João Mário eleito melhor médio de dezembro e janeiro" [League: João Mário voted best best midfielder in December and January] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  63. ^ "João Mário wins his second consecutive VITO Midfielder of the Month award in Liga Portugal bwin". Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  64. ^ "João Mário wins once again the VITO award for Midfielder of the Month in Liga Portugal bwin". Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  65. ^ "João Mário eleito para o meio-campo do Onze do Ano da I Liga" [João Mário voted to I League All-Star XI's midfield] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  66. ^ "Liga: João Mário eleito melhor médio de dezembro e janeiro" [League: João Mário voted best best midfielder in December and January] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  67. ^ "João Mário foi eleito Jogador do Mês da Liga Bwin" [João Mário was voted Bwin League Player of the Month]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 17 February 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  68. ^ "Technical report: European Under-17 & Under-19 Championships" (PDF). UEFA. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  69. ^ "Seleção recebe insígnias de Marcelo no Porto" [National team receive insignia from Marcelo in Porto]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 25 August 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
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