João Mário snubs Besiktas! Benfica title-winner eyes new challenge ahead | OneFootball

João Mário - who has found the back of the net in recent weeks - is on his way to AEK. According to the local press, the former Benfica player is expected to leave Besiktas, where numerous players who have already worn the Sacred Mantle play, as he is not satisfied at the Turkish club and departure is the most likely scenario.

According to the same source, the agreement between AEK and Besiktas foresees a loan deal with no option to buy. It is worth remembering that João Mário joined the Turkish side in the summer of 2024 and, in his first season with the Black Eagles, made a good impression, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in 37 matches.

João Mário’s farewell to Benfica was somewhat turbulent. In a home match against Casa Pia, in the third round of Liga Portugal Betclic, the former Portuguese international was booed by the fans and was reportedly very unhappy with the situation, which ultimately hastened his departure from the Estádio da Luz.

This season, wearing the Besiktas shirt, João Mário – valued at 2.1 million euros – has played eight matches: four in the Conference League, two in the Europa League, and two in the National Championship. In the 491 minutes he has played, the midfielder has scored three goals and provided one assist.

During his three seasons at Benfica, João Mário took to the field 149 times, scored 36 goals, and made 23 assists. The 32-year-old was a key player in Roger Schmidt’s team, champions in 2023, and finished the season with 23 goals, making him the squad’s second top scorer, behind only Gonçalo Ramos.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.