Samuel Dahl’s life on the football pitch took a sharp turn over the past year. He faced a tough spell in Rome, a time that fell short of what the young defender had hoped for. But since arriving in Lisbon with Benfica at the start of this year, things have dramatically improved for him. Now, Dahl beams with satisfaction, telling Fotboll Direkt that he feels the club’s trust and enjoys vital playing time.
"I am very happy to have the club’s confidence," the left-back stated. "I’m getting minutes and game time now." His journey was indeed a swift one. Just a year ago, the 22-year-old Swedish international was a key player for Djurgarden. He moved from being a star in Sweden to barely seeing the field in Italy, and now he is playing regularly in Portugal. Dahl admitted he hasn’t had much time to think about the rapid changes, but he is certainly content with where he is.
Benfica recently made his move permanent, activating a 9 million euro purchase option. This deal could rise to 11 million euros depending on how he performs. It followed a successful half-season loan from the Italian club, solidifying his place in Lisbon. Dahl remembers the big jump in physicality when he left Sweden for Italy. He found the level "completely different" and "much more difficult physically." It wasn’t just about how much players ran, he noted, but how they reacted in challenges.
He mentioned that moving from Djurgarden to Roma felt like skipping a few steps up the ladder. The sheer intensity and strength of opponents made a clear difference for him. Despite his new life, Dahl still keeps a close watch on his old club, Djurgarden. Although he was not on the bench for Sweden’s recent 2-2 draw against Slovenia, his focus remains on his upward trajectory and finding his rhythm in Portugal.