Benfica respond to António Silva’s World Cup omission with show of support | OneFootball

Benfica have publicly backed António Silva after he was left out of Portugal’s 2026 World Cup squad on Tuesday. According to Glorioso 1904, the club posted a supportive message on social media hours after Roberto Martínez named his list.

The post described the centre-back as one of their own, alongside a photograph of the Portugal international in Benfica colours.

Before that update, the club had highlighted call-ups for Dodi Lukebakio, Sidny Cabral, Amar Dedic and Tomás Araújo. The quartet were selected by Belgium, Cabo Verde, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Portugal respectively.

Martínez later explained the omission, noting Portugal had worked with five centre-backs and, based on March decisions and the expected opponents, chose Tomás Araújo. He added that Silva would be first in line to be called if any defender suffers a fitness issue at the 2026 World Cup.

In 2025/26, Silva played 41 competitive matches for Benfica, totalling 3,118 minutes. He made 25 appearances in Liga Portugal Betclic, 10 in the Champions League, four in the Taça de Portugal, one in the Taça da Liga and one in the Supertaça. The defender, valued at 28 million euros, recorded one goal and one assist.

Source: Glorioso 1904