Contained in the Benfica Campus, one of many world's biggest soccer expertise factories

"After these ages, under-19 and under-23, usually all of our gamers who progress [from the academy] can play in first divisions and second divisions right here in Portugal or in different nations, however we have to put together them if soccer fails.

"The primary goal was to develop them like human beings and we have to put together them with a robust tutorial improvement too."

European champions

After dropping in all three of its earlier ultimate appearances, Benfica lastly obtained its palms on the trophy with an attention grabbing 6-0 win over RB Salzburg, a consequence that drew admiring glances from a lot of Europe's greatest golf equipment.

"Everyone seems to be so pleased with that second as a result of it was a course of that did not begin that season," Magalhães says. "Plenty of these gamers began with us after they had been six years previous, others 10 years previous, 11 years previous.

"We have to look to all of the those who work with them -- coaches, assistant coaches, academics, social division, scouting division -- everybody right here has a particular half in that second."

Magalhães says round 90% of the squad that received the UEFA Youth League began enjoying on the Campus between the age teams of under-6s and under-12s.

Though Benfica has its important base in Lisbon, it additionally boasts 5 coaching facilities round Portugal, which permit the membership to scout after which nurture the perfect expertise from throughout the nation.

Within the squad for the semifinals and finals, Magalhães says there have been gamers from all their coaching facilities -- within the north, south and heart of Portugal -- a feat he's extremely pleased with as it's proof the challenge Benfica entrusted him with is bearing fruit.

However even when they hadn't received the trophy final season, Magalhães would nonetheless have seen the crew's participation as a hit. Within the eight seasons for the reason that Youth League's inception -- the 2020-21 season was canceled because of the Covid pandemic -- Benfica has reached 4 finals, a document solely two-time winner Chelsea has been capable of match.

"Greater than successful the trophy, it is the regularity," Magalhães says. "If we had been a crew that goes as soon as in 5 years to a semifinal or to a ultimate, okay, it is good for us. However a crew [with Benfica's record] signifies that actually we've got a gaggle of gamers which can be capable of compete on the highest stage as compared with different groups in Europe.

"For us, the regularity is an indication that our work goes effectively."

Aspiring stars

António Silva is without doubt one of the present crop of rising stars in Benfica's academy and was within the crew for final season's victorious UEFA Youth League marketing campaign. The 18-year-old central defender joined Benfica in 2014 and, given his place, naturally hopes to emulate Dias' success.

Dias joined Manchester Metropolis from Benfica for round $75 million in 2020 and instantly cemented his place among the many greatest defenders within the Premier League. In his two seasons at Metropolis, the 25-year-old has performed an important position in successful two Premier League titles and reaching the 2021 Champions League ultimate.

Silva even wears the No. 66 shirt that Dias wore whereas he was on the membership.

"I look as much as Rúben loads," he tells Muricas News Sport. "He began enjoying right here and take a look at all of the issues that he achieved at Manchester Metropolis and in addition within the crew at Benfica. He is an individual to look as much as and it is essential for me to have my references to achieve the highest.

"Portuguese golf equipment work loads with the youth ages, so it is essential for us to have the type of gamers that attain the highest and play in all of the leagues, within the prime leagues just like the Premier League and La Liga, like Nuno [Mendes] being in PSG.

"For us, you will need to have these type of gamers, like idols for us to attempt to additionally full this course of and, whether it is potential, do it higher than them."

Silva describes himself as a contemporary heart again, snug with the ball at his ft and able to enjoying lengthy balls or passing alone the ground. In addition to Dias, Silva attracts his inspiration from Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and Actual Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger.

Nonetheless, Silva is aware of not one of the gamers' private and crew success could be potential with out the dedication of the lots of of workers that work in Benfica's bases across the nation.

"Benfica has lots of people who work for us, that give the whole lot to us and that is crucial factor," he explains. "Benfica Campus is essential, however the individuals who work with us? They're extra essential."