Daniel Banjaqui, the young Portuguese right-back once part of Barcelona's youth setup, has officially parted ways with the Catalan club to continue his development at Benfica. The Lisbon-based team announced that he signed a new contract running until 2031, including a substantial €80 million release clause.
Banjaqui caught the attention of Europe's elite clubs including Barcelona after impressing at the U17 World Cup where he was named the best right-back of the tournament. Despite interest and scouting visits from Barca, Benfica has successfully retained the promising talent.
Benfica coach José Mourinho played a key role by integrating Banjaqui into the first team quickly, offering him playing opportunities in both the Portuguese Cup and league matches. This strategy not only secures the player's loyalty but also boosts his experience at senior level.
This development signals that Barcelona will not be able to recruit Banjaqui in the immediate future, highlighting the challenges clubs face trying to snatch top prospects from well-established academies that provide clear pathways to first-team football.
In sum, Banjaqui's new long-term deal with Benfica underlines the club’s determination to hold onto one of Europe’s most promising young right-backs, sending a strong message to competing clubs about their ambitions.
