Portuguese newspaper Record has a big story (not to say propaganda) on Thursday about Benfica’s youth training centre in Seixal, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The four-page article shows all the facilities, players who have grown there and the biggest profits after selling the stars who were just club youngsters once.
Two of these ex-players are Ivan Cavaleiro and João Teixeira, who are currently at Wolves. Teixeira is still on loan from Benfica, whilst Cavaleiro left the Portuguese club to join Monaco in 2015 and has since joined Wolves.
“I was 13 years old when I started training at the campus”, Cavaleiro said.
“I was surprised, it was a completely different reality. I didn’t know Benfica’s greatness, I didn’t realise what I was living and didn’t even take the footballer job seriously.
“We got surprised with the bedrooms, the lunchrooms, the leisure rooms, the studying rooms. There was everything so we could work in the best way. We learned what it is to be a Benfica athlete and the responsibility to play with the eagle on our chest. I miss Seixal.”
Asked about the best thing about the facilities, he said: “The work conditions. A proof of it is the fruits that are being harvested now. Players and men are formed there. I’m a benfiquista and we have one of the best youth centres in the world.”
Wollves player João Teixeira couldn’t say any bad things either: “Having the best work conditions gives you more motivation and many more advantages. We started playing at Amora, I noticed an evolution at Pupilos, and even more at Seixal. Year after year new things were happening and made the campus even better. It’s the best thing that happened to us.”
Asked about the number of players who have made it through the youth levels and are now in the first team, he commented: “It’s a natural consequence of this bet. There are excellent conditions, a coordinated work between many sectors, from the medical teams and nutritionists to the manager on many levels.”
“In this aspect, Benfica are very professional. At Seixal there’s no first team and youths. The club give relevance to the development and it’s essential.”
Maybe Wolves could tap into the knowledge of the pair and pick up some tips for their own youth system. On the other hand, Wolves could get Jorge Mendes to help them continue to pick up products of Seixal.
