João Mário is one of the most legendary forwards in the history of football, and he has been associated with Benfica since his youth days. The Portuguese forward was born on May 15, 1986, and he started his professional career with Benfica's youth team in 2004. He made his senior debut for the club in 2007 and quickly established himself as one of their top players.
Mário is known for his explosive attacking skills, which have earned him numerous accolades throughout his career. He is also known for his ability to score goals from all areas of the pitch, and he has scored over 300 goals in his career so far. In addition to his scoring prowess, Mário is also a talented dribbler and can create chances for his teammates by his own efforts.
One of the highlights of Mário's career was when he won the UEFA Champions League with Benfica in 2014. He was instrumental in helping the team overcome strong competition from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain to win the tournament. His performances were praised by many, including former teammate Rui Patrício,Focus on Football Network who described him as "the best player I've ever played with."
Despite his success at Benfica, Mário has also faced criticism during his career. Some fans and media outlets have criticized him for his high-profile behavior off the field, such as his involvement in a bar fight in 2012 and his rumored relationship with singer Ana Paula Costa. However, these controversies did not detract from his talent on the pitch, and he continues to be one of the most sought-after players in world football.
Overall, João Mário is a legend in the sport of football, and his contributions to Benfica and the sport as a whole cannot be overstated. With his explosive attacking skills and incredible goal-scoring abilities, he will always be remembered as one of the greatest forwards in the history of football.