João Neves headed in against Bayern, and some credit... Roger Schmidt | OneFootball

João Neves’s latest goal once again proved that the midfielder developed in Benfica’s academy has much more than just quality with the ball at his feet, also standing out in an area where few would expect him to shine: aerial play.

Despite standing at just 1.74 metres, the Portugal international scored with a header against Bayern Munich in an absolutely frenetic Champions League semi-final - which he had previewed - that ended 5-4. The 21-year-old had already scored a header against Lyon, managed by Paulo Fonseca, and even last season against Inter Miami, showing a leap and timing ability that goes well beyond what is usually expected from players of his height.

It was precisely that detail that prompted a reaction from Chiquinho, his former teammate at Benfica, who did not miss the chance to joke on social media by sharing the moment with a suggestive phrase. "Roger’s finishing training on point today", in a clear reference to Roger Schmidt’s work.

The post quickly sparked reactions among fans, many of them recalling the impact of the German coach on João Neves’s development in the first team, in a connection to his Benfica past that remains very much alive, even as the midfielder continues to surprise on the biggest stages of European football.

This season, playing for PSG, João Neves – valued at €110 million – has already made a total of 32 official appearances: 17 in Ligue 1, 12 in the Champions League, one in the Intercontinental Cup, one in the Coupe de France and one in the French Super Cup. In the 2,375 minutes he has spent on the pitch, the Portuguese midfielder has recorded seven goals and four assists.

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