Benfica register last-minute 'boost' for Hearts game | OneFootball

Gabriel Índio is now eligible to represent Benfica in European competitions. The Brazilian centre-back, who officially signed last week, has been registered with UEFA and is part of the A list of players eligible for the third Europa League qualifying round. He could make his debut against Hearts in the first leg of the tie, scheduled for Thursday at 8:00 pm at the Estádio da Luz.

Signed by Benfica when he was still 17, the young defender could not be used in the previous round against St. Gallen, as he only turned 18 during the tie. With that regulatory limitation now overcome, Gabriel Índio is available to Marco Silva.

The inclusion of the centre-back gives the Benfica coach more options in a department that underwent changes in this summer transfer window, following António Silva’s departure to Bournemouth. For the match against Hearts, Clément Lenglet and Tomás Araújo are the main candidates to form the centre-back pairing, although Gabriel Índio is now also part of the available options.

The young Brazilian began his development at Flamengo, then moved to Botafogo before representing Athletic Club. While playing for the Minas Gerais side, he made four appearances in Brazil’s Série B between last season and the start of the current one.

To secure the signing of the promising defender, the SAD led by Rui Costa is believed to have invested around four million euros, a clear sign of the confidence placed in the player’s potential. With a long-term contract at the Luz, Gabriel Índio is now beginning a new stage of his career, looking to gradually establish himself in Benfica’s first-team squad.

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