João Neves is a follower of Christianity and has often been seen demonstrating his respect toward his religion. The Portuguese midfielder, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain and the Portugal national team, was raised in a Catholic household, which is common among Portuguese families.
Quick Profile: João Neves
| Full name | João Pedro Gonçalves Neves |
| Date of birth | 27 September 2004 |
| Place of birth | Tavira, Portugal |
| Nationality | Portuguese |
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Religion | Christianity (Catholic) |
| Net Worth | Approximately €10 million (2025) |
What Religion is João Neves?
João Neves is a follower of Christianity, specifically coming from a Catholic background, which reflects the predominant faith in Portugal. The Portuguese defensive midfielder was raised in Casa do Benfica de Tavira, where his family lives, in a region where Catholic traditions run deep.
He tends to keep his religious beliefs private and doesn’t publicly display his faith, even on social media. Unlike some footballers likes Cole Palmer and Vinícius Júnior who openly share their religious practices online, João maintains a more reserved approach to his spirituality.
Early Life
João Neves was born and raised in the town of Tavira in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. He grew up in Tavira, where his mother, Sara Gonçalves, worked as a physical education teacher, his father, Pedro Neves, in addition to serving as a Public Security Police officer, devoted time to mentoring young talents as a football coach.
Growing up with a father who was a police officer and a mother who taught physical education had a profound influence on João’s formative years. From a young age, he was instilled with discipline and a strong sense of responsibility, values he continues to uphold today. These principles, while not explicitly religious, align closely with the moral teachings often emphasized in Catholic households.
He began playing football at a very young age. Neves joined the youth club Casa Benfica Tavira, one of the feeder teams for SL Benfica. After impressing locally, he moved into Benfica’s academy system. In 2016 he joined Benfica’s main youth academy in Lisbon, and in December 2020 he signed his first professional contract with Benfica.
Career highlights
Neves signed his first professional contract with Benfica in December 2020. His breakthrough came when he was part of the Benfica U19 team which topped their 2021–22 UEFA Youth League group against Dynamo Kyiv, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and eventually won the tournament.
He made his debut for the senior team on the first day of 2023, coming on late as a substitute in the 3-0 defeat to Braga in the Primeira Liga. His first Champions League appearance came on March 7, 2023, when he provided an assist in Benfica’s 5-1 home win against Club Brugge.
In the 2023-24 season, Neves was named man of the match in the 2-0 victory over Porto in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira on August 9. He established himself as one of Portugal’s best midfielders, being voted as the Primeira Liga’s Midfielder of the Month between the months September and December, a feat which he repeated in February and March 2024.
In August 2024, Neves joined Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of €60 million. More specifically, Neves signed a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, for a €59.9 million fee plus €10 million in potential add-ons. His impact at PSG was immediate, on August 16, Neves made his official debut in a 4-1 win over Le Havre, coming on as a substitute and assisting Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola’s goals. A week later, he again provided two assists in a 6-0 victory over Montpellier, setting the record for the most assists (four) in his first two Ligue 1 matches, surpassing Neymar’s previous record of three assists.
The 2024-25 season proved historic for both Neves and PSG. The young midfielder played a crucial role as PSG achieved an unprecedented continental treble, including their first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy. On June 29, Neves scored his first career brace in a 4-0 win over Inter Miami in the round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
On August 30, Neves scored his first career hat-trick in a 6-3 away win against Toulouse, including two bicycle kicks, demonstrating his growing confidence and technical ability at the highest level.
Awards and Honors
Benfica
- Primeira Liga Champion (2022-23)
- UEFA Youth League Winner (2021-22)
Paris Saint-Germain
- Ligue 1 Champion (2024-25)
- Coupe de France Winner (2024-25)
- Trophée des Champions Winner (2024)
- UEFA Champions League Winner (2024-25)
- UEFA Super Cup Winner (2025)
Portugal
- UEFA Nations League Winner (2025)
Individual Honors
- Primeira Liga Midfielder of the Month (September, October, November, December 2023, February, March 2024)
- Primeira Liga Team of the Year (2023-24)
- Kopa Trophy Nominee (2024)
- Kopa Trophy Nominee (2025)
- UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season (2024-25)
- UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year (2024-25)
- Globe Star of the Year at the Portugal Football Globes 2025 ceremony
Career Earnings
João Neves has experienced a significant financial transformation since joining PSG. João Neves already has a full agreement with PSG as he will earn around $5 million per year, which is ten times more than he earns at Benfica.
According to various reports, the five-year contract, valid until June 30, 2029, is securing Neves a salary of €9.09 million (€4.82 million base & €4.27 million bonus) annually, though other sources cite different figures. The variation in reported salaries is common due to bonuses, add-ons, and performance-related payments.
Personal Life
João Neves is currently in a relationship with Madalena Aragão, a Portuguese actress and model. The couple began dating in early 2024 and they met in Lisbon while João was playing for Benfica. After they officially shared their relationship in Autumn 2024, the couple became more open and were seen at events and special occasions.
Aside his relationship, Neves keeps his personal life largely private. He was deeply affected by the death of his mother, Sara Gonçalves, who died in early 2024 after battling cancer. In an emotional moment following her passing, fans chanted his name and teammates comforted him after a match, showing their support.
