The Wing Breakthrough for Benfica's Champions League Journey
In the heart of Lisbon, Portugal, stands one of the most iconic football clubs in the world - Benfica. This club has a rich history and has produced some of the greatest players in the game's history. However, it was not always easy for them to reach the heights they have achieved today.
One player who played a pivotal role in helping Benfica achieve their Champions League success is João Mário. Born on March 17, 1984, in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, João Mário began his professional career with FC Porto at the age of just 15 years old. He quickly made a name for himself and became one of the youngest ever players to play in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
Despite his young age, João Mário had already established himself as a talented player. In 2006, he joined Benfica, where he would go on to make a name for himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe. Under the guidance of manager Carlos Carvalhal,Football Game Pass João Mário's performances continued to impress, and he helped Benfica win the Portuguese league title in 2011-12.
However, it was not until the 2015-16 season that João Mário truly broke through for Benfica. That year, the team reached the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite being down 3-1 in the second leg of the semi-final, João Mário scored two crucial goals to help Benfica come back from behind and secure a dramatic 3-2 victory.
This performance earned João Mário the Golden Boot award in the competition, making him the first Portuguese player to win the award since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. His efforts were instrumental in helping Benfica reach the Champions League final, where they eventually lost to Real Madrid.
Since then, João Mário has continued to be a key player for Benfica, helping them to achieve further successes on the European stage. With his exceptional skill and creativity, he remains one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in the game today. His contribution to Benfica's Champions League journey will undoubtedly be remembered for many years to come.