Van der Vaart ‘never imagined’ Pavlidis would hit these heights at Benfica | OneFootball

Rafael van der Vaart has hailed Vangelis Pavlidis’s surge in form, admitting the Benfica striker’s rise for club and Greece has outstripped expectations. Fellow Dutch great Wim Kieft has also expressed surprise at the forward’s development.

“I did not rate him at all. But Pierre van Hooijdonk kept telling me he was very good, and Pierre was unbelievably right,” Van der Vaart said, speaking to NOS.

He added that Pavlidis had progressed step by step, then conceded he never foresaw this level at Benfica. “I always thought he was a good player, but I never imagined he would become this good at Benfica and score so many goals.”

Pavlidis played in the Netherlands from 2019 to 2024, first at Willem II then AZ Alkmaar. He left as the Eredivisie’s top scorer in 2024 and joined Benfica in a €18 million move.

Across 123 official matches, he has 74 goals and 20 assists, underlining sustained improvement even after a spell of criticism. The numbers reflect a forward who has grown in output and stature.

With goals, assists and a larger role in attack, Pavlidis is in a confident moment, answering the demands placed upon him on the pitch.

Source: Glorioso 1904

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”