After a stellar performance in Portugal’s resounding 9-1 victory over Armenia, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder João Neves (21) reflected on the team’s collective performance and qualification for the World Cup. Speaking in the mixed zone, he emphasized his commitment to the style of play, the build-up play, and the way the team applies the work done in training.
Neves: “What matters isn’t the result, but the way we play.”
*“We played an excellent match and the goals were the result of our build-up play. We’ve had several games where we could have scored just as many, but we didn’t. This is the consequence of our work in training and of what we applied during the match. I always play the same way, from start to finish. What matters isn’t the result, but the way we play. We work very well and we execute perfectly what we’ve been training for.
It was a special match. Given its importance, wearing Eusébio’s shirt, and then scoring my first goals, my first hat-trick, for the national team. It’s something I’ll never forget.
The hierarchy of free-kick takers?
On the second free kick, it wasn’t me who took it. It’s whoever feels most comfortable. We have players who are very talented at that. I’m just one among others.”*
On a historic night for the Seleção, João Neves offered an analysis that goes far beyond the lopsided scoreline. True to his temperament, he highlights discipline, repetition of automatisms, and the will to “always play the same way,” regardless of the opponent. This mindset—remarkably mature for a 21-year-old—also mirrors what he shows daily at Paris Saint-Germain: an obsession with clean play, patient buildup, and technical precision.
The young midfielder also emphasized the importance of the collective, notably when discussing free-kick duties, showing he doesn’t seek the spotlight despite his rising status. In a Portuguese side that qualified with authority, Neves is emerging as one of the driving forces of its renewal. At PSG, after a troublesome injury, the club can only be pleased to see their Portuguese gem shine again.
