Mourinho Moves to Block Barca’s Swoop on Benfica’s Rising Star

Barça’s Bid Faces Mourinho’s Countermove

In a striking development, Mourinho publicly praised Benfica’s 17-year-old right-back Daniel Banjaqui, describing him as a player with the tools to flourish at the highest level. The comments followed sustained Portuguese reporting linking Barcelona and other giants with a potential move, while Benfica’s talks with Banjaqui’s representatives continued behind closed doors.

Barcelona’s interest has come into sharper focus as Benfica works on a contract extension for one of their brightest academy talents. The Catalan club’s curiosity has been echoed by pundits who say Banjaqui could challenge senior players in the near future.

Benfica’s Teen Emerges, and a Future in Lisbon Beckons

Mourinho has used light humor to win the trust of the teenager, joking that his future lies in a Benfica shirt rather than elsewhere, while stressing that Banjaqui’s progression should be carefully managed within the club’s framework.

According to Sport, the Catalan newspaper, Banjaqui rose to prominence after many praised him as the best right-back at the Under-17 World Cup, attracting attention across Europe.

Benfica has been negotiating for months to renew his contract and secure his long-term future, but those talks have yet to produce concrete results. A Bola previously reported Barca’s private interest and noted that Barcelona had monitored the player several times as it searches for a serious alternative to Conde.

Recently, Banjaqui followed Benfica’s official accounts on social media, fueling further speculation about his next move. Mourinho’s push to keep him appears aimed not just at the current window but at shaping a long-term plan for Benfica’s first team, with a substantial new deal on the table.

As he turns 18 on March 24, the youngster’s future is expected to be decided soon, with Benfica eager to retain a defender many see as a future cornerstone of the club’s spine.

Punchline: In Mourinho’s world, contracts come with a smile and a plan—two things Barca might wish they could borrow. Punchline 2: If the mercato is a chess game, Mourinho just checkmated Barcelona with a teenage defender and a signed promise.