João Palhinha close to Benfica move after earlier rejection recalled | OneFootball

João Palhinha, 31, is very close to a return to Portugal to wear the Benfica shirt, according to Glorioso 1904. The move would follow successful spells in England and Germany and years at Sporting.

It would also mark a twist, given he once had a trial at Benfica and was not selected, an episode he has said left a lasting mark.

Before breaking through, Palhinha faced setbacks. He was initially rejected by Sacavanense, tried again after a stint at Alta de Lisboa, then spent four seasons at the Sacavém club before Sporting recruited him.

The Benfica decision weighed heavier at the time, coming as he pushed to make the grade.

"I had a trial at Benfica and was rejected," he said in 2024 on Alta Definição. "It really affected me, being turned down once is hard, twice is tougher. Thankfully I later made it and I am grateful for what I have achieved."

He added that as a first-year junior outside the three big clubs he feared his path might close, and that few reach a high level from that position.

Source: Glorioso 1904

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”