Benfica has always been a factory for football talent. The club continues this tradition by securing one of its promising young players. Duarte Soares, an 18-year-old right-back, just signed a new deal. This shows how much the club believes in his future.
Soares first joined Benfica in 2019. He moved from Elvas to the famed academy at Seixal. His journey through the club’s youth ranks has been steady. He has already played for Benfica’s B team, which is a big step for someone his age.
The young defender spoke about his feelings to BTV, the club’s TV channel. He is very proud of this moment. “I always wanted to get this far,” he shared. “First, to sign my youth contract, then my professional one. Now, renewing a contract feels amazing.” This new agreement is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
Soares started his pre-season training with the Under-23 squad. He expects to stay with this group for the coming season. He feels ready for this next stage in his career. “It’s a good challenge,” he explained. “With the Under-19 team, I was already playing against older players. The Under-23s will be an even bigger test. I might even play against senior players there.” He sees this as a crucial step for his growth.
His time at Benfica has already brought him success. He has won titles with the club’s youth teams. These include both the juvenile and junior championships. His continued presence highlights the club’s plan to develop its own stars. The focus is on bringing players from the academy all the way to the top team.