Two-footed Sidny Cabral impresses Mourinho and expands Benfica options | OneFootball

Two-footed winter signing Sidny Lopes Cabral is carving out a role under José Mourinho at Benfica. According to Glorioso 1904, his versatility has already given the coach extra options across the flanks and at right-back.

He has featured in seven games so far: Estoril, Liga, 13 minutes at left wing-back, Braga, Taça da Liga, 25 minutes at left wing-back, Porto, Taça de Portugal, 83 minutes at left wing-back, Rio Ave, Liga, 28 minutes at left wing-back, Estrela da Amadora, Liga, 90 minutes at left wing-back, Tondela, Liga, 28 minutes at right wing-back, and Alverca, Liga, 73 minutes at right-back.

Three days before the 23-year-old signed, on 27 December 2025, Mourinho publicly noted that the Cape Verde international’s value is his genuine versatility, saying he is equally at home on the right or left, as a full-back or a wing-back, which offers security to a coach.

He has yet to play in Samuel Dahl’s left-back spot. That is not expected to change on Friday against Santa Clara, with Amar Dedic expected to stay out of the starting line-up to prepare fully for the Real Madrid games. Sidny or Daniel Banjaqui will start on the right, with Dahl on the left.

Across Estrela da Amadora and Benfica this season, Cabral, valued at €2 million, has 23 appearances, 20 in Liga Portugal Betclic, two in the Taça de Portugal and one in the Taça da Liga. He has scored six goals and recorded five assists.

Source: Glorioso 1904