Joao Neves and the art of effortless beauty | OneFootball

Joao Neves has become Paris Saint-Germain’s emblem of effortless elegance, his first touch, ball carrying and audacious chest passes making utility look like style.

On 8 April, in a 2-0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, a one-touch chest lay-off from a Matvei Safonov clearance went viral and might have sealed the second goal if finished. He also supplied a delicious assist for Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia before the return this Tuesday. According to L'Équipe, the 21-year-old has built this aura since arriving in summer 2024.

Beyond his exceptional running, his choices in control and passing carry a rare creativity. Two outrageous overhead kicks in the 6-3 at Toulouse on 30 August underlined it.

The roots lie in Tavira. Days playing on sand and hours of footvolley hardened his balance and gave him upper-body dexterity. In Poissy and at home he hones touch at teqball with Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and Gonçalo Ramos.

Those close to him insist he is no showman, only a team-first midfielder. Decisions are chosen to steal time on an opponent such as Jeremie Frimpong, not to posture. His trick is to execute simple, efficient actions that to others appear complex.

Former Benfica coach Roger Schmidt recalls asking how that feel for the ball formed. Neves traced it to beach football, the moving ball that could not be allowed to bounce, and the technique it demanded.

Schmidt adds that he simply loves to play, spent hours juggling with Lusophone friends, and impressed in every role when first promoted. He considers Neves already world class, and believes improvement will follow.

The Parc des Princes may be set for more from the aesthete of Tavira.

Source: L'Équipe