João Neves continues to display a profile that is, to say the least, atypical at Paris Saint-Germain. At 22, the Portuguese midfielder—standing just 1.74m tall—stands out particularly in aerial duels, as highlighted by Data’Scout on X. These figures further illustrate his versatility.
At 1.74m tall, Joao Neves is the midfielder who wins the most aerial duels across the top 5 leagues
Ranked first for aerial duels won and in the top 3% for defensive duels won per 90 minutes: he is on track to become the ultimate number 6.
He could redefine the position in the years to come.
The statistic is striking. Not so much because João Neves performs well in duels—his aggression, work rate, and ability to bring intensity to every area of the pitch have been evident since his arrival in Paris. Rather, it is his dominance in the air that stands out for a player of his height.
Available data supports this view. This season in Ligue 1, Neves has won 9 aerial duels and 29 duels in total, according to Sporting Life. Other statistical databases also rank him highly among midfielders for aerial ability, even though methodologies and sample sizes vary by provider.
Is Neves on track to become the ultimate number 6?
Beyond the talking point regarding his height, these figures reveal something significant about the player. Winning an aerial duel isn’t just about height; reading the ball’s trajectory, jump timing, positioning, aggression, and anticipation all play a huge role. In these areas, João Neves more than compensates for what he lacks physically.
This is also what makes his development particularly interesting for PSG. The Portuguese player already possesses the work rate and technical quality to play various midfield roles. If he continues to improve his defensive reading of the game and his control of space, the idea of him becoming a top-class number 6 is far from far-fetched. A caveat is in order, however: speaking of a player capable of “redefining the position” remains a projection at this stage. Yet, at just 22, Neves already possesses a rather rare profile. Ultimately, one statistic sums up João Neves quite well: just when you think you have identified his limitations, he still finds a way to win a duel where least expected.
