Luis Castro, coach of Dunkerque (Ligue 2) and former coach of João Neves, was asked by L’Equipe to comment on the unique style of the 21-year-old Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal midfielder, a blend of elegance and fighting spirit.
“Neves lets his instincts guide him.”
“He has exceptional body coordination. There are many sports where Joao excels. All those gestures, all those movements have been repeated thousands of times. There’s that, and an element of instinct. He takes in information beforehand because he’s very intelligent, but when he’s under pressure from his opponents, he lets his instinct take over. And that creates the moves you’re talking about. He has that football in him.”
There’s talent, obviously, but you also have to find the right formula to use it to its fullest potential. Understanding the game is important in order to adapt to various situations. However, you shouldn’t forget the element of instinct in a sport that’s constantly evolving and requires quick decisions.
Neves has that extra something that allows him to react to different challenges and opportunities. This leads to some truly magical moments, especially since he possesses excellent technical skill. All of this is combined with unwavering determination. It’s a combination that makes this player particularly valuable.
