Benfica‘s Joao Mario is a huge Roger Schmidt fan.
The Portugal international won the Primeira Liga under Schmidt last season, having completed a permanent move from Inter Milan.
The former West Ham man was born in Porto, and started at the club’s academy, but never appeared for them, instead featuring mainly for Lisbon’s two biggest sides.
Joao Mario played for Sporting CP in 2020/21, helping the club to their first league title in 20 years.
He did that under the hugely-rated Ruben Amorim, but in his eyes, Schmidt is his number one.
Asked about the German on the 1para1 Podcast, Joao Mario said: “For us, it is essential that you have a coach with whom you identify, in terms of character and personality.
“I don’t think I had ever had a coach, and that is recognized by everyone, who, in addition to being an excellent coach, is an excellent person.
“In football, that’s not always compatible and I think that’s the best compliment I can give him.
“I would like my football side to be as good as my human side. And he has that side, which isn’t easy.”
The comments were put to Amorim, who awkwardly started laughing.
“João Mário has been a Benfica player for a few years, he praised his coach, as he should,” Amorim said.
“I didn’t see anything, I didn’t even know… I have nothing to say about this matter.”
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