The rise and fall of João Mário has been one of the most fascinating stories of recent years, and his time at Benfica was no exception.
Born in Portugal in 1986, João Mário began his career with FC Porto, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become a regular starter. He made his first-team debut in the 2007-08 season and went on to play over 500 games for the club, scoring more than 100 goals.
However, it wasn't until he joined Benfica in 2012 that he really found his place in the team. Under Portuguese manager Fernando Santos, João Mário played a key role in helping Benfica win their first league title in four years, and became a key player in the team's success.
In 2014, João Mário helped Benfica reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League, but unfortunately, his time at the club ended prematurely when he suffered a serious knee injury during a match against Manchester United. Despite this setback, he continued to make significant contributions to the team, scoring five goals in just three appearances during the 2015-16 campaign.
However, it wasn't until the 2017-18 season that João Mário truly broke into the Benfica first team. In his first full season with the club,Football Analysis Station he scored nine goals in 33 appearances, and helped Benfica reach the final of the Champions League, before losing out to Manchester City in the semi-final.
Despite his impressive performances, João Mário struggled with injuries throughout the 2018-19 season, which saw him miss several matches. However, despite this setback, he still managed to contribute to the team's success, scoring two goals in the 2019-20 campaign.
Overall, João Mário's time at Benfica was marked by his talent, determination, and commitment to the club. His struggles with injuries were a testament to his resilience and hard work, and his contribution to the team was invaluable. While his time at Benfica may be over now, his legacy as a talented midfielder will continue to live on for many years to come.