João Palhinha's first Benfica training session got tongues wagging | OneFootball

João Palhinha’s first training session as a Benfica player was marked by smiles, praise and several reunions. Newly arrived at the Luz, the 31-year-old midfielder was welcomed by his new teammates. Fredrik Aursnes, the Eagles’ captain, was one of the first to welcome the Portugal international.

"Finally," said the Norwegian. During the session, Palhinha also took the chance to get to know his new teammates better and did not hide his satisfaction with what he found. In a conversation in Spanish with Gianluca Prestianni, the midfielder praised the young Argentine: "And you, flying. Keep it up, you’re doing very well," said the Eagles’ new player.

Prestianni has been one of Benfica’s main standouts at the start of the season, but he is not alone in the spotlight. Vangelis Pavlidis has also been playing a leading role in attack and already has 10 goals in 2026/27. Palhinha was not indifferent to the Greek forward’s goalscoring form and, after praising him as a "good finisher", made a direct request: “Don’t stop.”

Palhinha’s first day at Benfica was also marked by several reunions with players he already knew from other stages of his career. Among them were Tomás Araújo and Rafa Silva, former national team teammates, as well as Clément Lenglet. The French centre-back first played for Tottenham and later Aston Villa, facing Palhinha on several occasions.

The reunion between the two was accompanied by words of delight from Lenglet. "I’m very happy you’re here," admitted the French defender. Palhinha replied with a phrase that perfectly sums up the new chapter in both of their careers, now wearing the Benfica shirt: "Now, by your side."

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