Player Analysis: João Mário

Benfica’s Champions League campaign may have come to a premature end at the hands of Inter Milan, but their pursuit of the Portuguese league title is still well and truly alive. They sit atop the league table, 4 points clear of rivals Porto with 4 games remaining. and although they haven’t been quite as dominant as they were during the first half of the season, As Águias remain favourites to claim their first league title since 2019 and the 38th title in the club’s history.

Whilst the likes of Gonçalo Ramos and Enzo Fernández have received the most acclaim for Benfica’s impressive season, with the latter having earned a January move to Chelsea and the former being linked with his own big-money move to the Premier League, one player who has seemingly gone under the radar is the midfield talisman, João Mário.

João Mário has enjoyed a prolific 2022/23 campaign at Benfica this season. The Portugal international turned 30 years old in January but he appears to be better than he’s ever been. He has enjoyed, by some distance, the most statistically productive season of his career thus far and that’s a testament to his ability and determination to continue improving this late in his career. He’s been an end-product machine throughout the season.