Lukebakio debuts for Benfica, already causing headaches | OneFootball

Shining in his first games with the eagle on his chest, Dodi Lukebakio - who joined Benfica while injured - has already earned a call-up from his national team coach. It appears that the number 11 of the reds is included in Belgium's squad list, thus being absent from José Mourinho's team during this international break.

This marks a return for Lukebakio, after the winger was left out of the squad last September, as he was recovering from a muscle injury that was detected during medical exams conducted before signing with Benfica on the summer transfer deadline day.

However, Rudi Garcia, the new national coach of Belgium, who took over from Domenico Tedesco, has called up another familiar face from Portuguese football. Besides Dodi Lukebakio, the French coach will also count on the presence of Zeno Debast, a central defender from Sporting.

Thus, the winger - who did not hide his frustration with the result against Chelsea - and the number 6 of the lions, will join the Red Devils' team, which will play two matches for World Cup qualification. On the 10th, the Belgians face North Macedonia and, three days later, have a match scheduled with Wales.

Signed after Akturkoglu's departure, Dodi Lukebakio - currently valued at 20 million euros - has been one of José Mourinho's key players. This season, the number 11 has already played three official matches: two in Liga Portugal Betclic and one in the Champions League. In the 170 minutes he was on the field, the Belgian made one assist.

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