Mourinho outcast Lukebakio may get Benfica lifeline under Marco Silva | OneFootball

Dodi Lukebakio could be handed a fresh chance at Benfica under Marco Silva, having appeared surplus under José Mourinho.

According to Glorioso 1904, the Belgian winger is using his international schedule to press his case for a squad place next season. Benfica and Silva, who is set to take charge, are monitoring his displays.

In Belgium's 5-0 win over Tunisia, he scored with an acrobatic finish inside the box. The showing comes with the 2026 World Cup approaching.

Signed from Sevilla last summer for about 20 million euros, he struggled to justify the fee. Injuries and inconsistency meant only 1,347 minutes across starts, cameos and spells out of contention in 2025/26.

Under Mourinho, an exit looked close to inevitable as he targeted reinforcements on the right and prioritised adding another winger, with Lukebakio considered sellable to recoup funds.

Silva's arrival could change that, as he views Lukebakio's profile as a fit for his approach. Recruitment priority now lies on a left winger, with Sidny Lopes Cabral gone and no direct cover for Andreas Schjelderup.

Source: Glorioso 1904