John Joe Patrick Finn: Biography, Stats, and Ireland Career

There aren’t many footballers born in Madrid who grow up dreaming of playing for Ireland. John Joe Patrick Finn Benoa is one of them. At 21, the midfielder has already worn the jerseys of Real Madrid’s youth setup, Getafe in La Liga, and French side Stade de Reims. His senior Ireland debut in June 2025 fulfilled a promise to his late father, a story that gives his career a deeply personal anchor.

Full name: John Joe Patrick Finn Benoa ·
Date of birth: 24 September 2003 ·
Place of birth: Madrid, Spain ·
Height: 1.92 m ·
Position: Midfielder ·
Current club: Stade de Reims (Ligue 2)

Here is a quick reference of the publicly recorded data on the midfielder.

The pattern: a Madrid-born midfielder with deep Irish roots who leveraged La Liga youth training into an international call-up.

Who is John Joe Patrick Finn?

Full name and identity

• His full registered name is John Joe Patrick Finn Benoa, though he is known professionally as John Patrick (Irish Examiner).
• He told the media he prefers to be called John (Irish Examiner).
• His transfermarkt listing places his main role as central midfield (Transfermarkt).

Early life and background

• Born in Madrid, Spain on 24 September 2003 (Wikipedia).
• His father is Irish (from County Mayo), his mother is Spanish (Irish Examiner).
• He spent summers in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, as a child (Irish Examiner).
• After impressing at a trial of 200 boys, he was recruited by Real Madrid’s youth academy (Irish Examiner).

What are John Joe Patrick Finn’s career stats?

Club career statistics

• He made his professional debut for Getafe in La Liga on 5 December 2020, becoming the club’s youngest ever debutant (Wikipedia).
• After a stint in Getafe’s youth system, he moved to Stade de Reims, signing on 15 January 2025 (Wikipedia).
• His debut for Reims came on 25 January 2025 against Paris Saint-Germain (Wikipedia).

Two key milestones, one pattern: a rapid rise from a Real Madrid youth trial to Ligue 2 in France within a decade.

The implication: the timeline shows a player who moved quickly from Spain’s top flight to France, seeking first-team minutes.

International appearances

• Eligible for Ireland, Spain, France, and Cameroon, he chose Ireland through his father (Wikipedia).
• He made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland as a late substitute against Luxembourg in June 2025 (Irish Examiner).
• According to the Irish Examiner, the call-up came after consistent performances for Reims.

Who are John Joe Patrick Finn’s parents?

Father’s background and legacy

• His father was Irish and passed away before his Ireland debut (Irish Examiner).
• His father’s family is from County Mayo; John Joe spent every summer in Ballyhaunis (YouTube (Ireland football interview)).
• The Irish Examiner reported that his late father had a lifelong wish for him to represent Ireland.

Mother’s role in his career

• His mother is Spanish (Irish Examiner).
• She supported his early football development in Madrid (Irish Examiner).

What is John Joe Patrick Finn’s injury history?

Publicly available information on injuries is sparse. No major layoffs have been reported by Irish or French media. The Irish Examiner profile does not mention any current injury, and his recent debut for Ireland suggests he is fit. However, without a medical update from Reims or the FAI, the exact nature of any past injuries remains unconfirmed.

Why did John Joe Patrick Finn choose Ireland over Spain?

Family connection to Ireland

• He said in an interview, “I am a Mayo man” (Irish Examiner).
• He spent every summer in County Mayo as a child (Irish Examiner).
• Representing Ireland, he said, is “a dream” and “an honor” for him and his family (YouTube (Ireland football interview)).

International eligibility process

• He was eligible for four nations: Ireland (through his father), Spain (birth), France (residence), and Cameroon (heritage) (Wikipedia).
• He chose Ireland and debuted in June 2025, fulfilling his late father’s wish (Irish Examiner).

Timeline

• 24 September 2003: Born in Madrid, Spain (Wikipedia).
• 2012: Joined Real Madrid youth academy after a trial of 200 boys (Irish Examiner).
• 2020–2023: Developed through youth football in Spain and Ireland.
• 5 December 2020: Made La Liga debut for Getafe, becoming the club’s youngest ever debutant (Wikipedia).
• 15 January 2025: Signed for Stade de Reims (Wikipedia).
• 25 January 2025: Debut for Reims vs Paris Saint-Germain (Wikipedia).
• June 2025: Senior Ireland debut vs Luxembourg (Irish Examiner).

Clarity check

In their own words

“I am a Mayo man.”

John Joe Patrick Finn, speaking after his Ireland debut (Irish Examiner)

“It is a dream and an honor for me and my family.”

John Joe Patrick Finn, on representing Ireland (YouTube (Ireland football interview))

John Joe Patrick Finn’s journey from a Madrid-born teenager to an Irish international is still in its early chapters. For Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, the midfielder offers a rare mix of La Liga technical training and a deep emotional commitment to the green jersey. The challenge will be translating that promise into consistent minutes at Reims and, eventually, into competitive international performances. For the player himself, the goal is clear: build a career that honors his father’s memory and justifies the choice of Ireland over Spain.

Frequently asked questions