Marco Silva names 30 as Benfica open pre-season, Gabriel Índio stands out | OneFootball

Marco Silva opened Benfica’s 2026/27 pre-season at Seixal with a 30-strong group, Gabriel Índio the standout inclusion. According to Glorioso 1904, the new head coach blended senior players with academy prospects and one recent arrival.

Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Índio, signed from Athletic-MG, reported to the Benfica Campus and is the only reinforcement in the squad for day one. He has begun adapting to Portuguese football and is under close observation.

Seixal talents handed a chance to work directly with Silva include João Fonseca, Daniel Banjaqui, José Neto, Rui Silva, Miguel Figueiredo, Gonçalo Moreira, João Rego, Jaden Umeh, Anísio Cabral and Peter Edokpolor. Several are viewed as longer-term bets who will try to earn places.

Among the senior names present were Anatoliy Trubin, António Silva, Alexander Bah, Samuel Dahl, Enzo Barrenechea, Georgiy Sudakov, Manu Silva, Leandro Barreiro, Bruma, Vangelis Pavlidis, Franjo Ivanovic, Gianluca Prestianni, Rafa Silva and Tiago Gouveia. A number of internationals remain absent because of World Cup duty, giving youngsters space to impress early on.

Time is short. Benfica’s first competitive match is on 23 July against St. Gallen in the Europa League second qualifying round. Warm-up games with Flamengo and Villarreal, plus other behind-closed-doors fixtures, will shape selection as competition for squad places begins.

Source: Glorioso 1904