Miguel Figueiredo, 17, a surprise Benfica call-up for Arouca under José Mourinho | OneFootball

José Mourinho has named 17-year-old Miguel Figueiredo in Benfica’s squad for the trip to Arouca, a surprise inclusion who could make his debut in the 26th round of the Liga Portugal Betclic.

A Bola reports that the Aveiro-born player is among Portugal’s under-17 world champions, alongside Anísio Cabral, Daniel Banjaqui and José Neto.

He first played in his hometown wearing Benfica colours, then joined the club’s Training and Development Centre in Aveiro in 2014/15. He stayed until 2020/21, before moving to Seical to continue at Benfica Campus, where he remains.

"I loved going to play football in the city park in Aveiro. I went with my brother and my parents, and that is where the passion came from. My parents were able to put me in Benfica’s Football Schools in Aveiro, and I started my adventure," he told BTV.

Figueiredo has been on Mourinho’s radar and is the latest youth project for the Special One, who has backed academy players. Among the manager’s selections, the 17-year-old could be the next to debut alongside his national team colleagues.

Source: Glorioso 1904