Benfica Player Profile: Manuel Bento

Manuel Bento (Keeper)

Years Active (1966-1992)

Benfica Career (1972-1992)

Born: 1948 Death: 2007

Manuel Bento

Manuel Bento started his playing career with Benfica in 1972 when he made the move over from Barreirense as the understudy for Jose Henrique and appeared in a total of 465 career games for Benfica across all competitions in his club career. Bento also appeared for the Portuguese national team on 63 occasions as a member of Benfica. Bento won 16 titles with the club, 9 Portuguese league titles, 5 Taca de Portugal and 2 Portuguese Super Cups. 

Bento suffered a horrific leg injury while on international duty and never fully recovered to the form that all were accustomed to. Bento was named the 1977 Portuguese player of the year and was working as a goaltending coach for Benfica at the time of his death in 2007 due to a heart attack. Bento is considered by many as the greatest goalkeeper in Benfica history and one of the best keepers to done the Quinas national team jersey.

Bernardo Silva expresses desire to play for Benfica

Manchester City and former Benfica academy player Bernardo Silva has expressed his desire to one day return to the club that still has his heart before he retires. Bernardo spent 12 years as a member of Benfica's youth system, first joining at the tender age of seven. Benfica moved Bernardo to Monaco in 2014 on loan with the attacking midfielder appearing in only three games for Benfica's main squad across all competitions before the loan. Monaco made the move permanent at the end of the 2014/15 season, with Benfica receiving €15.75M for the players rights. 


Bernardo went on to win the French Ligue 1 title with Monaco ending PSG's dominance of the Ligue 1 crown and his performances earned him a move to Manchester City during the summer of 2017 for €50M were he has become an important member of Pep Guardiola's squad. Bernardo though still wants to fulfill a child home dream to play a season for Benfica before his career ends and on his own terms, which he is sure to accomplish without worrying about the club's manager trying to convert him to a left back. I am sure a move back to Benfica would not only please Bernardo but the Benfica supporters as well.

Man City were interested in Benfica youngster

Manchester City had Benfica youngster Florentino Luis on it's short list of players that they wanted to acquire to replace an aging Fernandinho. Pep's Man City side inquired about what it would take to acquire Florentino from Benfica before the close of the English league transfer window but Benfica's move to increase the 20 year old defensive midfielders buy out clause to €120M put off any deal being reached at this time for the promising youngster. Benfica are hoping to striker gold with Florentino as they did earlier this summer with forward Joao Felix and his appearances as a member of the starting eleven will have many team scouts watching his every move.