José Mourinho keeps faith in Vangelis Pavlidis after late miss in Porto v Benfica | OneFootball

José Mourinho has kept faith with Vangelis Pavlidis after Porto v Benfica and says one late miss does not erase his contribution this season.

According to Glorioso 1904, Mourinho, who is being linked with Real Madrid, did not single out the number 14 after the late chance went begging.

The decisive moment arrived close to the final whistle. Andreas Schjelderup delivered a precise cross to the far post, finding Pavlidis with the goal unguarded. He failed to convert, passing up a clear opportunity to level.

The head coach views him as the team’s standout this season. Pavlidis leads the scoring charts on 24 goals, well clear of Franjo Ivanovic on 5, with Heorhiy Sudakov and Fredrik Aursnes on 4.

This season for Benfica, Pavlidis, valued at 35 million euros, has played 33 matches, 17 in the Liga Portugal Betclic, 10 in the Champions League, three in the Taça de Portugal, two in the Taça da Liga and one in the Supertaça. Across 2,636 minutes he has 24 goals and three assists.

Benfica’s next fixture is on Saturday, 17 January 2026 at 20:30, against Rio Ave at Estádio do Rio Ave FC (Arcos) in Vila do Conde. The match is the 18th round of the Liga Portugal Betclic 2025/26.

Source: Glorioso 1904