Against Barca, Benfica’s Curse Returns: Carreira’s Madrid Debut Test
25 October 2025
The Benfica Connection and the Curse
Real Madrid’s history features only a handful of Benfica alumni who left a lasting mark, notably Argentina’s Ángel Di María and Portugal’s Fábio Coentrão. Both shone for Benfica before moving to the Merengues for significant fees (€25m and €30m respectively).
As wingers or left-backs, stories of a so‑called Benfica curse against Barcelona in their first Clasico have circulated for years. The media often frames these debuts as rocky starts, with Barca’s attack proving too potent for a new Madrid full-back to contain.
Di María and Coentrão’s Clasico Beginnings
Di María’s first Clasico for Real Madrid came in November 2010 against Barcelona, a brutal 0–5 defeat that underscored Barca’s merciless form and Madrid’s early struggles.
Coentrão’s first Clasico arrived during the 2011 Spanish Super Cup, with a substitute appearance in the first leg and a start in the second. Madrid lost 5–4 on aggregate, and Coentrão’s early showing highlighted Barca’s attacking dominance.
Both players would later thrive for Madrid, with Di María earning MVP honors in the 2014 Champions League final against Atlético Madrid. Coentrão likewise built a solid Madrid career after those initial drawbacks.
Álvaro Carreira Arrives to Reinforce the Left-Back
In the summer of 2025, Real Madrid officially signed 22-year-old Álvaro Carreira from Benfica to bolster the left-back slot currently shared by Ferland Mendy and Fran García after a couple of underwhelming seasons.
Carreira had trained with Madrid’s academy before stints at Manchester United and Benfica on loan, finally returning on a long-term deal. He is noted for defensive solidity, pace, and the versatility to play at center-back as well.
The move positions Carreira as a potential starter on the left, ready to face Barca’s right winger Lamine Yamal, one of the game’s brightest talents.
On paper, Carreira resembles a multi-position asset rather than the more specialized Coentrão who often pushed forward. The key question is whether he can handle Barca’s demands while maintaining balance for Madrid’s defense.
As the Clasico approaches, Madrid’s press concentrates on how the 22-year-old will cope with the intensity and Yamal’s pace. Carreira’s performance could either calm nerves or rekindle the Benfica curse narrative.
Whichever side starts, the Bernabéu clash will test Carreira’s readiness and mark a new era in Madrid’s left-back options, with a nod to history and a dash of modern tactical pragmatism.
Punchlines: If Carreira’s left foot starts singing, Barca’s right flank better bring earplugs. And if history repeats, Benfica’s curse might just become Madrid’s new “special move”—a left-back with a license to sprint and a talent for drama at the Bernabéu.
