A 20-year-old winger, Ivan Lima, marked a significant milestone with his first-team debut for Portuguese powerhouse Benfica, a moment he described as unforgettable after years in the club’s renowned youth academy.
Lima quickly took to Instagram to share his elation, writing, “Official debut for the club that saw me grow! This is a moment I will never forget. Thank you to all who supported me until now! Let’s go for much more.”
The debut occurred during a Portuguese Cup match played away in Chaves. Lima, wearing the number 90 jersey, entered the game in the 89th minute. He replaced teammate Sudakov, with coach Roger Schmidt making the substitution.
Lima developed his skills entirely within the Benfica Campus, the club’s prestigious youth development facility. His journey from the academy to the senior squad represents a common path for many Benfica players.
His Instagram post quickly garnered an outpouring of support from several current teammates. Among those reacting were António Silva, João Rego, Diogo Prioste, Leandro Santos, Gonçalo Moreira, and Rafael Brito.
All the players who responded to Lima’s celebratory post are themselves graduates of the Benfica Campus. This highlights the strong bond and shared history among the club’s homegrown talent.