Arriving at PSG during the last Mercato, João Neves has already established himself as an important pawn in the Parisian environment. In the columns of the new issue of Onze Mondial, available on newsstands and on our online store, the Portuguese international spoke with complete simplicity about his journey. Selected pieces.
His debut at Benfica
“This transition took place with the 2022 World Cup, it was at the end of the year, in November-December, and was in the middle of the season. At that time, Benfica had a lot of players missing in their squad so the coach needed a few players to train. And at the time, I was in the B team and the coach told me: listen, João, tomorrow you are going to train with the main team. And there was great training, the players present helped me a lot. I was very nervous of course, but I had the feeling that they liked me, I relaxed and I did my job, and done well… (…) My first match as a starter , I remember, it was against Estoril at home. I was super nervous, but I always am before a game, no matter who it's against, because it's that worry of, “Okay, I'm going to work, I'm going to have to do something different, I'm going to have to help the team.” »
His transfer to PSG
“At the time, I didn't expect to leave the club, but I knew Benfica's needs and I knew that maybe it was an option to leave and given PSG's offer, how they offered me talked about the club, what they told me, what this club is, the essence of the club, I think I see a lot of PSG in me. It's a club that wants to bet on young people, it wants to bet on football, beautiful football. The important thing is how we win, how we play with the ball. I think the ideology of this club is perfect for me. The amount? I am so young that I have no idea what money is and its importance. I think that's an advantage. Sometimes my friends say I'm worth 60 million, and I wonder how is that possible? And it's a little hard to digest, but I don't worry about that, because like I said, and I always say it and I will always say it, if I do my best, I can be worth more , I can be worth less. In football, everyone knows that what is true today is a lie tomorrow. »
On Luis Enrique
“I really like his working method. I think he's a fantastic coach. He is sincere, he helps us. He not only says things right, he also says things that are wrong. He gives advice and helps us improve. And I think when you're open to improvement, the likelihood of improving is greater. And he is a coach who cares deeply about his athletes and his team. And I think everything he does is for the well-being of the team. I like the way he works and I'm very happy to work here with him. »
At Ligue 1 level
“I think the level here is higher than in Portugal, the mid-table and bottom-of-the-table teams are more homogeneous, more competitive and stronger, it's more lively, they are faster, more aggressive. The stadiums here are much better. Whereas in Portugal, the stadiums, although they are correct, the stands are very close, the pitch is not in good condition, the locker rooms are not as clean. Here in France, all teams are capable of playing good football, and that also gives us the power to play our best football away. »
-Find the entire interview with João Neves in the columns of the new issue of Onze Mondial, available on newsstands and on our online store.
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To summarize
João Neves, the PSG midfielder who arrived this summer and is already very convincing in the Parisian jersey, speaks exclusively to Onze Mondial. His debut at Benfica, his transfer to PSG and even Luis Enrique are on the menu.
