José Neto makes history for Benfica – Napoli and surpasses club legend | OneFootball

Sport Lisboa e Benfica experienced a night of European glory by defeating Napoli, but the 2-0 triumph was marked by a historic moment beyond regular time. José Mourinho decided to bring José Neto onto the field at 90+5 minutes, allowing the Seixal gem to debut on the world's biggest club stage to strong applause from the stands.

Historic Podium

This dazzling entry allowed the defender to inscribe his name on a very exclusive list of Club icons. At 17 years, seven months, and 21 days, the left-footer became the third youngest player ever to play for the Eagles in the Champions League, only behind record-holder José Gomes, who debuted in 2016, and the eternal Fernando Chalana, who holds the second spot.

The achievement gains significance upon realizing that the young talent surpassed an iconic figure like António Simões. The former European champion, who debuted in the prestigious competition in 1962 at 18 years and one month, thus falls to fourth place in this precocity ranking, seeing his mark surpassed by the new star of the Eagles' formation over six decades later.

European Giants Watch Closely

It should be noted that, in recent weeks and after shining in the U-17 World Cup, José Neto has been making headlines. The fullback is set to be a key player for José Mourinho at the Eagles, but he has some of the main European football giants interested in signing him, which could complicate matters for Rui Costa.

Frequently Asked Questions about José Neto

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.