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João Mário's Streak of 122 Games at Benfica Ends in Loss
Porto, Portugal – João Mário, the former Portuguese international striker who spent nearly two decades with Benfica, has ended his illustrious streak of 122 games for the club with a disappointing loss to Sporting Clube de Braga.
The match was played on Saturday evening at Estádio da Luz, and despite the efforts of both teams, it resulted in a 1-1 draw. Mário, now in his early 50s, made his final appearance for Benfica, playing as a substitute in the 79th minute.
Mário's impressive record at Benfica spans over two decades, during which he scored 86 goals in 122 appearances. His contributions helped Benfica win the UEFA Champions League twice and reach the semi-finals in three other seasons. The club is still searching for their first major trophy since winning the league title in 2004.
Despite the disappointment, Mário expressed his gratitude for his time at Benfica. "I want to thank everyone at Benfica for giving me this opportunity,Football Regional Port" he said. "It's been a great journey, and I'm proud of what we achieved together."
For Sporting Clube de Braga, the result was a relief after a difficult start to the season. The team had lost their previous four matches and were looking for a victory against one of their biggest rivals. However, they could not capitalize on their chances and fell behind to Mário's goal in the 46th minute.
Sporting Clube de Braga manager Rui Fernandes praised his players' resilience. "We showed good spirit today, but we didn't execute our game plan well enough," he said. "We need to improve our attacking play and keep fighting."
Mário's retirement from professional football comes as a surprise to many fans and fellow players. He has been involved in various charitable causes and continues to inspire young athletes with his story of perseverance and determination.
As Benfica prepares for their next challenge, they will be hoping to find a new player capable of continuing their successful run. In the meantime, Mário will continue to enjoy life off the pitch, likely focusing on coaching or mentoring young talents.
In conclusion, João Mário's streak of 122 games at Benfica came to an end with a disappointing loss to Sporting Clube de Braga. While the result may have come as a surprise to some, it is clear that Mário's legacy at the club will live on through his contributions and inspiring stories.