"I want to help Benfica a lot"

BPLAY INTERVIEW

One hundred games with the sacred mantle linked to victories. On August 4, 2021, João Mário was a starter and influential in Benfica's victory over Spartak in Moscow on the road to the Champions League group stage. In 2023, on the night of September 2, he was one of the driving forces behind the Reds' success against Vitória SC on matchday 4 of the Liga Betclic.

"It was special. I think it was a good game, not just for me, but for the whole team", confesses João Mário, in an interview with BPlay, remembering chapter 100, the most recent in his career, with the Benfica crest on his chest.

"We've got back to the great dynamic we had last year, and we're on the right track. For me, it's special because of that, and it's about continuing because we have a lot of goals ahead of us this year and I want to help Benfica a lot," he claims.

100 MATCHES

"It's incredible to play 100 games for this great club. It's a very special feeling, not just for me, but for my whole family. Benfica has managed to bring together and give great joy to everyone who follows me, at home, my friends, everything. For me, playing 100 games is really special."

DEBUT AGAINST SPARTAK MOSCOW

"I remember it perfectly. We'll never forget the first game, it was an important match for us. It was also special for me because I'd been to Russia, I'd played there, so I think it was a perfect day because we won, and it was the start of a dream."

ASSIST FOR RAFA IN MATCH 1

"We were still creating dynamics, but obviously I remember it being a very beautiful play between me, Rafa and Pizzi. It was special because it ended in a goal, and Rafa scoring it was even better."

GAME 100

"It was special. I think it was a good game, not just for me, but for the whole team. On an individual level, I was thinking a lot about the goal because my last goal for Benfica last season was against Vitória. I really wanted to score in the 100th game. I had a few chances, it didn't happen, but it was special because the team won, we played very well. We've got back to the great dynamic we had last year, and we're on the right track. For me, it's special because of that, and it's about continuing because we have a lot of goals ahead of us this year and I want to help Benfica a lot."

PREPONDERANCE IN THE GROUP

"Maturity, above all. I think I'm at the perfect age to take on more and more, not only on the pitch but also off it, and I also have that responsibility because I'm the team sub-captain. I think I'm at the perfect age to achieve and surpass myself more and more. Last year was very good, but I hope to do even better this year."

IDENTIFICATION WITH THE CLUB

"Obviously, when you reach this milestone, 100 games, you always reflect on everything that's happened. I remember my first year at Benfica, it wasn't always all positive, I had some difficult moments, but, above all, I also remember a little of what my season was like last year, the whole year, how important I was, the people who helped me… Being inside the Club, experiencing the Club, experiencing what happens at matches, at our home matches, the support we get, it's special, and I really think that Benfica is a very big and very special club, because those who are inside understand that very well, because of the way they support us. It's really unique."

MOMENT

"Perhaps the last-minute penalty against Vizela. I think it was a very big responsibility, a very big celebration after the goal. It was a great union between us and our fans, our team."