Lisbon, Portugal – February 17, 2026 – Rising Benfica starlet Anísio Cabral has committed his future to the club, signing a contract extension that will keep him at Estádio da Luz until 2031. The agreement, finalized just one day after his 18th birthday on February 15, 2008, underscores the club’s faith in the young forward’s potential and secures a key piece of their attacking lineup for years to approach.
The 18-year-old, who has quickly become a fan favorite, expressed his delight at extending his stay with the club he calls his “heart.” “It means a lot, because I’ve represented Benfica for a long time,” Cabral stated in an interview with BTV. “It’s a club that is always in my heart, always has been, and it’s a very good feeling. I am very happy.” This long-term commitment signals a significant step in Cabral’s burgeoning career and reinforces Benfica’s strategy of nurturing young talent.
Cabral’s journey with Benfica began in the 2016/17 season when he joined the Benfica Campus as a Sub-9 player, following a stint with UD Alta de Lisboa and an earlier foundation in futsal at AC Ciências. His progression through the club’s youth ranks has been remarkable, culminating in his debut for the first team on January 25, 2026, in a Liga Betclic match against Estrela da Amadora. Introduced by manager José Mourinho in the 83rd minute, Cabral marked his debut with a goal, contributing to a 4-0 victory for Benfica at the Estádio da Luz.
Rapid Rise Through the Ranks
Since his first-team debut, Cabral has made appearances in three Liga Betclic matches, also featuring in a goalless draw against Tondela and scoring again in a 2-1 win over Alverca, where he was named Man of the Match. He has also featured for Benfica’s youth teams, registering 13 games (4 goals) for the Juniores, 3 appearances for the Sub-23 squad, and one game for the Equipa B this season. His versatility and goal-scoring ability have quickly made him a valuable asset across multiple levels of the club.
Prior to his breakthrough into the senior squad, Cabral consistently demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess in the youth categories. He was a key figure in Benfica’s success at the youth level, winning the national Iniciados championship in 2022/23 with 32 goals in 31 games. The following season (2023/24), he tallied 29 goals in 35 matches for the Juvenis, securing national titles in both the 1st and 2nd Divisions. His prolific form continued in the Campeonato Nacional Sub-17, where he finished as the top scorer with 25 goals in as many matches.
International Success and Professional Debut
Cabral’s talent has also been recognized on the international stage, representing Portugal at various youth levels, earning 40 caps and scoring 24 goals. He was a pivotal member of the Portuguese squad that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup, scoring the winning goal in the final against Austria. He also played a crucial role in Portugal’s triumph at the UEFA European U-17 Championship, scoring one goal and providing one assist in the final against Albania, a match Portugal won 3-0 with nine Benfica players involved.
The young forward signed his first professional contract with SL Benfica on November 4, 2024, at the age of 16, already in his ninth season with the club. This early commitment from both sides highlights the mutual belief in Cabral’s potential to become a key player for Benfica in the years to come.
Anísio Cabral’s contract renewal represents a significant investment in the future of Benfica’s attack. As he continues to develop and gain experience, he is poised to become a cornerstone of the team, contributing to both domestic and European success. The club and its supporters will be eagerly watching his progress as he embarks on the next chapter of his career at Estádio da Luz.
The focus now shifts to Cabral’s continued development under Mourinho and his integration into the first team. Benfica fans will be keen to witness how he builds upon his promising start and contributes to the club’s ambitions in the Liga Betclic and European competitions. His long-term commitment provides stability and excitement for the future of Benfica football.
