José Mourinho set to have two secret weapons for Benfica v Real Madrid | OneFootball

José Mourinho is set to take a strengthened Benfica squad into the Champions League play-off with Real Madrid.

According to Glorioso 1904, Sidny Cabral and Rafa Silva are already on the club’s knockout registration, which must be filed with UEFA by 23:00 on Thursday.

UEFA rules barred January signings from the final two rounds of the league phase. Announced in early January 2026, Sidny Cabral could not face Juventus, 0-2, or Real Madrid, 4-2.

Rafa was confirmed the day after the defeat in Turin and was not in the squad for the home meeting with Madrid. His outings for Besiktas in Europa League and Conference League qualifying do not prevent his registration or potential use in the knockout rounds.

Both players will appear on Benfica’s list A, which can contain a maximum of 25 names. Compared with September’s league-phase squad, Spanish full-back Rafael Obrador is out after a January loan to Torino.

Benfica play Real Madrid on 17 and 25 February, first at Estádio da Luz then at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Source: Glorioso 1904