The next big thing at Benfica, Anisio Cabral, has signed a new long-term contract and Jose Mourinho will be delighted.
The 18-year-old looks like the real deal since graduating from Benfica’s famed academy, scoring two goals in just 19 minutes of action.
Having just turned 18, he was instantly upgraded to a professional contract with a new expiry date of 2031.
“Sport Lisboa e Benfica and the 18-year-old forward Anísio Cabral have agreed to a contract renewal for another 5 seasons. The new contract is valid until 2031,” read a statement from the Eagles.
While 19 minutes might not seem like much, Anisio has long been touted as one of the best young forwards in the game due to success in the UEFA Youth League and major honours at Portuguese youth level.
In fact, Real Madrid have reason to be concerned ahead of their Champions League play-off tie against Benfica.
Leading Spanish outlet Marca wrote: “In his debut, Anísio certainly did enough to deserve continuity and, a week later, Mourinho threw him back into the Lions against Tondela.
“In a crucial situation against Vinícius Júnior’s Alverca, with the title race at stake, Mourinho called Anísio again… and the Luz stadium exploded.
“We’ll see if he doesn’t cause Real Madrid a disappointment…”
Mourinho compares Anisio to Drogba
Mourinho himself also continues to big up the youngster, comparing him to one of his greatest ever players from his time at Chelsea.
“The potential is there: the physicality, the back-to-goal play, the runs in behind the goal,” he said.
“He has many things with his back to goal that are very similar to a player I had, very, very similar…
“He reminds me of Drogba with his back to goal… except that Drogba, in five crosses, scored five goals with his head,” he continued.
“You’ll laugh and call me an idiot, but his heading game isn’t good. With his physique, it’s something he really needs to work on. He scored two headed goals, but I think it was a miracle.”
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