71João Tomé

João Tomé Esteves Baptista joined Benfica's academy at the age of eight and spent his entire formative career at the club. A tall, right-footed full-back who can also be deployed further forward on the right, he signed his first professional contract in March 2019 while still a junior and extended it in August 2021.

He was promoted to Benfica B and made his senior debut on 6 August 2022 in Liga Portugal 2 against Académico de Viseu, becoming a regular in the reserve side during the 2022/23 campaign. He scored in the competition on 18 October 2022 in a 5-1 win over Mafra.

Tomé's involvement with Roger Schmidt's first team came in April 2023, when injuries to the senior right-backs led to his call-up for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Internazionale on 11 April 2023; he was an unused substitute in the 2-0 home defeat. He remained with Benfica B until 30 June 2024, when he signed a three-year contract with Rio Ave. He has represented Portugal from under-16 to under-20 level.