João Mário joins Juventus in a swap deal involving Alberto Costa, aiming to become the starting right-back. The Portuguese player arrives in Turin ready to take the next step in his career and prove himself to the Bianconeri.
Who is João Mário?
Born in São João da Madeira on January 3, 2000, João Mário Nero Lopes is a Portuguese right-back with a market value of €10 million. He is right-footed, stands 178 cm tall, and weighs 68 kg.
He began his football career at Sanjoanense CJ before joining Porto in 2008. Although he remained with the Portuguese giants until 2025, he briefly spent time with Padroense’s youth team in 2015 before returning to the Dragons the following season.
Since joining Porto’s first team in 2020, he has played 179 matches, scoring 5 goals and providing 22 assists — including 6 assists in 42 appearances this season.
After Juventus completed the €30 million signing of Francisco Conceição from Porto, the two clubs agreed on another deal: João Mário moved to Turin for €3 million, with Alberto Costa going the other way. Below, we analyze the transfer from both footballing and financial perspectives.
A Great Offensive Fullback
Elite Output in the Final Third
Offensively, João Mário ranks among the top fullbacks in Europe’s major leagues. He consistently advances into dangerous areas and supports attacks in the final third. However, he lacks defensive reliability — his stats for duels and tackles are underwhelming, raising questions about his security at the back.
In the Primeira Liga, he leads all fullbacks in crosses per game (4.32), cross accuracy (1.85), and passes into the penalty area (4.98). Furthermore, he consistently excels in the final third, where he delivers pinpoint crosses and incisive passes that drive his team’s offensive play.
He joins a Juventus side that ranked 12th in Serie A for crosses — a relative weakness that the Portuguese fullback could help address. The Old Lady isn’t known for constantly feeding the No. 9 with crosses; instead, they tend to build through vertical passing, opening space with movement and delayed runs. João Mário offers a stylistic addition that could diversify this dynamic.
Dynamic, Direct, and Dangerous
Other standout traits include his success in attacking actions (4.79 per game), crosses into the box (0.66), and expected assists (0.24). His mindset is clearly oriented toward attacking space and delivering quality balls into the area. With the ball, he dribbles and accelerates effectively, making him explosive in transition. He thrives with space ahead of him, drawing defenders and attacking one-on-one without hesitation.
Juventus currently ranks second in Serie A for dribbles and one-on-one attempts — João Mário fits right into that profile and enhances the team’s wide threat.
João Mário ranks as the fifth-best wide player in the Portuguese league, with an average rating of 88 out of 100. He is a well-developed, experienced fullback who still has room for growth and appears to be a strong fit in Turin, offering added quality on the right wing.
A Roadrunner on the Sidelines
His heatmap shows that he consistently covers Porto’s entire right flank — from his own half to the opponent’s box. He is highly active and explosive on the wing.
His agility, stamina, and reliable footwork (71% pass completion rate) make him a dependable player in build-up play and a dangerous presence near the opposition’s goal.
His primary role has been as a wing-back or advanced right-back, starting 49% of matches in that position. He’s also capable of playing as a more traditional right-back (41%). In Porto’s 3-4-2-1 system, he primarily operated as a right wing-back.
Adapting to Juventus shouldn’t be an issue, as they also employ a 3-4-2-1 formation. In this setup, João Mário would slot into the same role, supported by a center-back — likely Kalulu — behind him. This structure would allow him the freedom to push forward and combine with Francisco Conceição, his former Porto teammate. Furthermore, the additional defensive support would help mask some of his weaknesses at the back, allowing him to concentrate on what he does best: attacking space and delivering dangerous crosses into the box.
Transfer and Contract Figures
João Mário joins Juventus from Porto in a swap deal involving Alberto Costa, with an additional €3 million going to the Italians.
The former Porto fullback will earn €1 million annually — a figure close to his previous salary — so the deal won’t significantly impact Juventus’ wage bill. It also relieves them of Alberto Costa’s €930,000 annual salary.
Alberto Costa impressed many fans during the final stretch of the season, and some are disappointed by his departure. Still, João Mário brings immediate qualities suited to Igor Tudor’s tactical system — and patience will be key as he settles into the new environment.
Comparison with Alberto Costa
Compared to Alberto Costa, João Mário excels in attacking, technical, and creative play, while Costa is superior in tactical discipline and defensive work.
Costa also has more protection as a younger player at 21, but Juventus needed a fullback capable of asserting himself quickly and effectively. João Mário fits that requirement.
Bet on the Present
While some criticism of the deal is understandable, Juventus have secured a progressive, attack-minded fullback while earning €3 million and parting with a more defensive option. João Mário aligns with Tudor’s system, which demands offensive output from the flanks.
He may not be flawless, but he brings exactly what Juventus need — a dynamic, forward-thinking right-back ready to contribute immediately.