Lisbon-based football club Benfica has solidified its investment in youth development with the signing of 16-year-old midfielder Miguel Galinho to his first professional contract. The move comes as the club-currently competing in Portugal’s Primeira Liga and slated for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup [[3]]-looks to build for the future with a player who has already demonstrated success at the youth levels. Galinho, who joined Benfica in 2021/22, has expressed his ambition to join the first team and continue adding to the club’s storied history [[2]].
16-year-old midfielder signs professional contract, vows to reach the top with Benfica
Benfica has secured the future of promising talent Miguel Galinho, signing the 16-year-old midfielder to his first professional contract.
“I feel very good, it’s a huge pride and a big responsibility too,” Galinho told BTV. “It’s the club of my heart, I’m grateful for the opportunity and I will do everything I can to honor this jersey.” The young player also expressed his ambition, stating, “I want to reach Benfica’s first team, I promise to work to get there.”
In his fifth season with the Lisbon club, Galinho joined Benfica in 2021/22 from UDR Santa Maria, after developing his game at the Odivelas Football School. The midfielder has already demonstrated success, winning national championships at both the Iniciados (U15) and Juvenis (U17) levels in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, respectively. He has appeared in 9 matches for the junior team and one for the B team this season. “My goal is to continue to evolve and, at the end of the season, to be champions,” Galinho added.
Galinho’s talent has also been recognized internationally, earning him 8 caps across Portugal’s youth teams – 5 for the Under-17s and 3 for the Under-16s. He credited his family and friends for their unwavering support throughout his journey.
By Nuno Miguel Ferreira
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