João Mário is one of the most talented footballers in Portuguese history, and his time at Benfica was no exception. Born on February 18, 1975, João Mário began his professional career with hometown club Braga, where he quickly established himself as one of the best young players in Europe. After just two seasons, he moved to Benfica, where he would go on to have a legendary career.
One of João Mário's key moments at Benfica came during the 1996-97 season when he scored five goals in a single game against Boavista. This performance helped Benfica secure their first-ever Portuguese championship title since 1944. The goal that made him famous, however, came in a match against Sporting CP in January 2001. In the dying minutes of the match, Mário scored the winning goal with a stunning free-kick from 25 yards out,La Liga Frontline sealing the team's second consecutive league title.
Another moment that stands out for João Mário at Benfica was the night he broke Cristiano Ronaldo's record for fastest hat-trick in a European Cup match. On April 27, 2001, Mário scored three goals in a single UEFA Cup match against Dynamo Kyiv, helping Benfica win 4-2. This achievement cemented his status as one of the greatest strikers in European football history.
Despite his incredible talent, João Mário's time at Benfica was not without controversy. He was involved in several high-profile incidents during his career, including a row with teammate Nuno Gomes after the 1999 European Cup Final, which resulted in both being banned for six months by the Portuguese Football Federation. Despite this, he remains one of the most respected and beloved figures in Portuguese football history, and his legacy will live on forever.