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25 October 2018
Jota, the Benfica virtuoso
SL Benfica are renowned for their ability to produce a number of young talents. Joao Filipe commonly known as “Jota” could be the latest wonderkid to emerge from the Lisbon-based club academy. Fast, technically gifted and efficient, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder seems to have a bright future ahead of him.
He offered to us glimpses of his talent through his stunning free-kick scored against Japan during the Maurice Revello Tournament 2018. The following months have confirmed that Joao Filipe alias Jota is one of the brightest young talents in Portugal. And probably one of the best youngsters that came through the Benfica academy over the last years.
The @slbenfica and @selecaoportugal starlet Joao Filipe stole the show against Japan yesterday ???
— Tournoi Maurice Revello (@TournoiMRevello) 1 juin 2018
⚽️ Full highilights on our website #JPNPOR pic.twitter.com/HBTi2bRlqW
Few weeks after playing the Maurice Revello Tournament 2018, Joao Filipe made the headlines as he impressed the observers during the U19 Euro won by Portugal. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has scored five goals and has produced a man-of-the-match performance during the final against Italy (4.3 a.e.t).
Joao Filipe, Trincao, Ruben Vinagre... all these players took part in the @TournoiToulon 2018. One month later, they led Portugal to the U19 Euro title ???
— Tournoi Maurice Revello (@TournoiMRevello) 31 juillet 2018
Full story ▶️https://t.co/pWY5iI9mlZ #U19Euro pic.twitter.com/CVT27xeTaO
The rise of the Benfica wizard continued during the first weeks of the 2018-2019 campaign. Consistent with the Benfica reserve team (3 goals scored in 6 Portuguese Second League games), Jota has also been spectacular. Like illustrated by his demonstration against Bayern Munich (3-0) in Youth League : two goals scored and a number of great skills.
Most recently, he distinguished himself once again thanks to a stunner scored against Bosnia (4-2) in the Euro U21 qualifiers.
Jota's goal against Bosnia (U21). pic.twitter.com/hax63BNtNk
— Benfica Youth (@BenficaYouth) 16 octobre 2018
Obviously, his introduction to the Benfica first-team was just a matter of time. Eventually, he has been handed his professional debut on October 18th during the Portuguese Cup game against Sertanense (3-0)
? A estreia de Jota pela Equipa Principal! #SFCSLB pic.twitter.com/hLE7VtqZgV
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) 19 octobre 2018
The beginning of a long and beautiful story between the Lisbon-born and his childhood club ? This is at least the aim of the president Luis Filipe Vieira. "There are 3 or 4 players that have to be with the senior team next season: Jota, Ferro, Florentino Luís and possibly Chris Willock. If Benfica wants to fight to become European champions again, we'll need to be brave and audacious to give them playing time and we have got the right man for that: Rui Vitória”, he said recently.
The Portuguese youngster has certainly heard the message…
Amayes Brahmi
