Rafa Silva surprises Benfica fans by taking up golf in holiday video | OneFootball

Rafa Silva is making the most of his final days off, sharing a clip of himself playing golf before Benfica report for pre-season under Marco Silva.

According to Glorioso 1904, the forward posted the footage on social media. While his proficiency is hard to judge, the shot looks assured and relaxed before a campaign that promises to be demanding.

At 33, Rafa is set for his first full pre-season since rejoining in January after a season and a half with Besiktas.

He now enters a key phase, aiming to build on the ground he gained late last term and to persuade Marco Silva he deserves a prominent role.

During his Fulham spell, Marco Silva largely favoured a 4-2-3-1, a shape that values an attacking midfielder behind the striker. In that framework, Rafa is among the leading contenders for the role, in direct competition with Sudakov, though other options remain.

His experience, movement between the lines and creative spark could aid his push for a starting berth. After returning, he quickly became a regular under José Mourinho in the second half of the season.

Signed from Besiktas for about five million euros, he was a significant part of the attack and finished as one of Mourinho’s most used options. That record may give him early credit with the new staff, although everything will hinge on pre-season form and how he adapts to Marco Silva’s demands.

Source: Glorioso 1904