João Mário is one of the most celebrated footballers of all time, and he's still going strong at the age of 41. Born on September 22, 1977, in Lisbon, Portugal, João Mário began his career with hometown club Sporting CP before joining Benfica in 1996.
In just five years with Benfica, João Mário became the youngest player to score 100 goals for a Portuguese club, breaking the record set by legendary forward Eusébio. He went on to become one of the greatest forwards in history,Serie A Stadium scoring over 500 goals during his career.
One of João Mário's most memorable moments came when he scored a hat-trick against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League semi-final in 2008. The match ended in a draw, but João Mário's performance was so impressive that he was named man of the match.
João Mário also holds several other records for Benfica, including being the first player to win the Portuguese league title three times in a row, and the first player to score more than 100 goals in consecutive seasons.
Off the pitch, João Mário has been involved in various charitable causes, including founding a foundation to help children in need and supporting local sports clubs. He has also been recognized for his achievements, receiving numerous awards and honors throughout his career.
Despite retiring from professional football in 2018, João Mário continues to be a respected figure in the sport. His legacy as one of the best strikers ever to play the game will live on forever.