João Diogo Manteigas criticises Rui Costa over António Silva controversy | OneFootball

João Diogo Manteigas has criticised Rui Costa and Benfica’s hierarchy for staying silent amid the row around António Silva, arguing the club was allowing what he saw as an unfair campaign against the defender. According to Glorioso 1904, his comments came in an Instagram post made before Benfica issued any public response.

He asked why, since the start of this week, a witch-hunt had been launched against Silva, and whether the club would continue to tolerate what he described as the public humiliation of a 22-year-old who is also one of the team’s captains.

Manteigas urged the board to coordinate with the player’s two representation and image-management companies to denounce harmful remarks and challenge attempts to stain Silva’s reputation.

He said supporters would stand by the centre-back, called for a direct response to any campaign of attacks, and added that Benfica count on him next season as his presence makes the team stronger, united and ready to win.

In 2025/26 with Benfica, Silva, valued at 28 million euros, played 41 official matches, 25 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 10 in the Champions League, four in the Taça de Portugal, one in the Taça da Liga and one in the Supertaça. Across 3,118 minutes, he scored one goal and recorded one assist.

Source: Glorioso 1904