Portuguese football continues to produce exceptional talents, and while Rafael Leão struggles to shine and Francisco Conceição grows with each match, numerous young prospects are emerging from the top three clubs: Porto, Sporting, and Benfica. These clubs are already introducing these talents to their first teams, creating jewels for their future. Portuguese football prodigies have long attracted attention at increasingly younger ages, as they are often synonymous with assured investments. Many in Portugal have identified João Rego as the next generational talent most ready for the big leap.
Born in 2005 in Ourique, a small town in the Beja district in southern Portugal, Rego played football there until the 2018-19 season when Benfica discovered him at a national tournament and brought him to Lisbon. An attacker who can play as a false 9 or second striker, he has recently been adapting to the role of an inverted right winger, being left-footed. His strengths lie in dribbling and unpredictable play. What impresses scouts and experts most is his ability to read plays in advance, often putting him a step ahead of defenders.
Luis Castro, former coach of Benfica’s youth teams, confirmed to Calciomercato.com: “In Portugal, we have two types of talents, the more physical ones and the more skillful ones. He has monstrous quality. He reminds me a lot of João Felix in many characteristics, but if he perfects his physique, which can still grow muscularly, he could become even stronger.”
Rego has already participated in several editions of the Youth League (the Champions League for Under-19 teams), facing teams like Juventus two years ago. Calciomercato report that despite the interest, it was Inter’s scouts who were most impressed last year when he scored the equalizing goal in Milan during the group stage, watched by Baccin and Ausilio. Last summer, Chelsea showed the strongest interest, but Benfica is not willing to undersell their future star. Integration with Bruno Lage’s first team has already begun, and meanwhile, Rego alternates between Portuguese youth national teams, Benfica’s Under-19s, Benfica B, and the first team. Anyone wanting João Rego will need to put significant figures on the table.
