Palhinha to the Luz? Benfica have bad memories of him | OneFootball

The name of João Palhinha continues to heat up Benfica’s transfer market, but there is an episode from the past that comes back into the spotlight whenever the Portuguese international is linked with a move to the Luz. It is a moment that left a mark on Benfica fans and had a direct influence on one of the most debated seasons of recent years.

On 15 February 2020, while playing for Braga, Palhinha was the star of a bitter night for Benfica supporters. Right at the Estádio da Luz, the midfielder scored the only goal of the match and secured a 1-0 win for the Minho side. The move came from a set piece and ended with a precise header from the player, beating Benfica’s defence and completely silencing the stadium.

The match had an even greater impact because it came at a decisive stage of the league campaign. Benfica’s defeat in the 21st round allowed Porto to close in on top spot and ended up being one of the most defining moments in that season’s title race. At the time, Braga were managed by Ruben Amorim, who would leave the Pedreira shortly afterwards.

Someone who remembers that moment well is Rui Fonte, a former Benfica player (2012-2016) and Palhinha’s teammate at Braga. The former striker admitted that the win was “a huge joy”, he said in comments to newspaper A Bola.

While his future remains open, Benfica continue to be interested in the 31-year-old player. His connection with Marco Silva, the coach who worked with Palhinha at Fulham, is seen as an important factor in this possible deal.

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