Rui Costa warns José Neto and co about Benfica’s future | OneFootball

Sport Lisboa e Benfica honored their young U-17 world champions, but President Rui Costa took the moment of celebration to issue a warning. The leader of the club urged José Neto and the other talented players to remain focused and humble, emphasizing that this international achievement, although historic, is just the beginning of a journey that aims to be long and successful in the main team.

What was Rui Costa's message? During the reception for the athletes, the President of the Eagles praised the athletes' achievement: “It is a huge accomplishment for the country, but as Benfica, we couldn't be prouder to have been represented by you. The club with the most players in the World Cup, the country winning with nine of our Academy's players. It is a huge pride for us.”

What warning did Rui Costa give? The Club's leader warned, however, that this is just the first step in a long career: “Celebrate this title well, as it will go down in history and remain in your memory forever. May you win many titles as professionals and one day be on this side [professional football team]. But this was just the beginning, not the end.”

Who were the honorees? Benfica's contingent in the world champion team was vast and of great quality. Besides José Neto, who has been the target of international interest, Rui Costa welcomed Daniel Banjaqui, Mauro Furtado, Ricardo Neto, Rafael Quintas, Miguel Figueiredo, Stevan Manuel, Tomás Soares, and Anísio Cabral.

What is the future of José Neto? One of the most prominent athletes who has sparked much conversation is José Neto. The full-back has several interested parties in his signing, and Benfica intends to renew his contract—which ends in June 2027—to avoid losing one of Seixal's gems.

Frequently Asked Questions about Benfica's World Champions:

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