Meet Benfica's captain candidates after Otamendi exit | OneFootball

Benfica still has yet to officially learn the identity of José Mourinho’s successor in charge of the team, but that is not the only unresolved issue for next season. With Nicolás Otamendi leaving for River Plate, the Eagles are also left without their captain, opening the door to a new leadership figure in the dressing room.

Among all the names, António Silva appears to be the strongest option. The centre-back developed at Seixal was chosen to wear the armband on several occasions last season whenever Otamendi was absent.

The first opportunity came away to Casa Pia in the 11th round of the Primeira Liga, a match in which the number 4 took on the captain’s role for the first time in 2025/26. Later, at home against Vitória de Guimarães in the 27th round of the league, he once again led the team on the pitch, in a game where Benfica fielded an unusual centre-back pairing made up of Tomás Araújo and Enzo Barrenechea.

Among the quieter but equally credible alternatives, Fredrik Aursnes and Leandro Barreiro also emerge. Although they are not usually pointed to by supporters as dressing-room leaders, both are respected figures within the group and maintain a close relationship with their teammates.

With pre-season approaching, the choice of the new captain promises to be one of the first major decisions made by Benfica’s new coaching leadership, at a time of transition that could redefine the hierarchy within the Eagles’ dressing room.

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