There’s a special kind of hum around a football club when a young player signs. It’s a whisper of future glory. This week, that hum grew louder at Benfica.
The name sparking the buzz is Manuel Pires. He is a goalkeeper, just 14 years old. But he already carries big dreams. Benfica made the announcement this Wednesday. Pires makes the jump from Belenenses. He played his last two seasons there.
Pires recently played for the U-16 National Team. He debuted at the CPLP Games 2025. These games took place this month in Timor-Leste. Portugal finished in third place in the tournament. During the last season, this young keeper appeared in 31 games. That is a lot of time on the field for his age.
Joining Benfica is a massive step for any young footballer. The club is known globally for developing top talent. They have a strong history of nurturing young stars. Manuel Pires now steps onto a bigger stage. His journey has just begun. Many eyes will watch his progress at the Eagles’ nest.