Jaime Cancella de Abreu wowed by Benfica player: captain sans armband | OneFootball

João Palhinha has quickly won over Benfica fans since arriving at the Luz. Called up by Jorge Jesus to the National Team, the Portuguese midfielder has established himself as a starter in Marco Silva’s plans and has stood out not only for the quality he has shown on the pitch, but also for his leadership ability.

Jaime Cancella de Abreu, a Benfica supporter, has not been indifferent to the impact of the Portuguese international. In a lengthy post on social media, he offered plenty of praise and described him as a "captain without the armband": "Admiration for Palhinha grows with each passing day, with every match we play with him on the pitch.”

“It’s not because of what he gives the team in footballing terms—anyone who doesn’t know that can find the stats on tackles, duels, recoveries, etc., etc., etc., available for everyone to see. He is a monster in our midfield,” he said. For Cancella de Abreu, however, it is Palhinha’s attitude as a leader that has impressed him the most.

"I have seen and really liked his quiet leadership. The gesture that the photograph captured yesterday was just one of many. Even without the armband, we have gained a great captain, there is no doubt about that. Just as there is no doubt about how important that is in a top-level competitive team," he stressed.

Moreover, he also highlighted the happiness shown by the player in this new stage of his career, linking Palhinha’s commitment to his feelings for the club: "And he does all this—playing and leading—with the joy of someone who loves that Sacred Mantle covering his torso; you can feel that he is happy in this new stage of his career. I bet he wants it to be the last," he wrote.

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