António Silva
Full name: António João Pereira Albuquerque Tavares Silva
Country: Portugal
Date of birth: 30/10/2003 (18 years old)
Place of birth: Viseu (Portugal)
Height: 187cm
Youth career: CF Os Repesenses, Viseu United, SL Benfica (since 2016)
Current club: SL Benfica
Squad number: 66
Current national team: Portugal U-19
Position: central defender
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): 300.000 €
Tournaments participated in: Algarve Tournament 2020 (3/1), UEFA Youth League 2021/2022 (10/1), 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification elite round (3/1)
Contract until: 30.06.2027
Player’s agent: Gestifute
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Rúben Dias
Strengths:
– tackling 
– marking 
– anticipation
– positioning
– athleticism
– charisma
– pace 
– passing
– technique
– aerial duels
– tenacity
Weaknesses:
No significant weaknesses.
Style of play:
– complete and dominant central defender
– player with good body mass ratio, physical strength, power, stamina, and natural fitness who feels comfortable in contact situations
– able to play as a right and left-sided centre-back in a four-man defensive line
– modern defender, who combines strength with good technique and passing
– good pace and coordination
– able to play in a high line
– concentrated player with very good reading of the game and anticipation
– very good passing ability at all distances
– known for his composure, positional sense, and confidence in possession
– good retention skills under pressure
– good at finding passes through both the first and second line of pressing from the opposition
– likes to maraud forward and assess passing options on the move
– likes to make sliding tackles
– likes to spread play with good long-range diagonals
– consistent, aggressive, and hard-tackling player
– dominant in the air
– operates comfortably with his left weaker foot
– charismatic with good leadership skills/captain material
Silva makes a great timing sliding tackle and wins the ball back.
Silva charges with the ball forward and plays a superb line-breaking pass to his teammate.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Central defender in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
Portuguese U-16 Championship 2018/2019 winner with Benfica.
Portuguese U-18 Championship 2021/2022 winner with Benfica.
UEFA Youth League 2021/2022 winner with Benfica.
League summary (as for 12 August 2022):
Segunda Liga 2021/2022: 2 games/0 goals (Benfica B)
Segunda Liga 2022/2023 (ongoing): 2 games/0 goals (Benfica B)
Description:
António Silva joined Seixal, the famous Benfica youth academy, from Viseu United in 2016. He is a part of the new wave of highly talented SLB academy players along with other fantastic U-19 prosects such as Cher Ndour, Diego Moreira, Martim Neto, Franculino Djú, João Resende, João Neves, Hugo Félix, André Gomes, Hugo Faria, Luís Semedo, Nuno Félix, and João Tomé. António made his professional debut for Benfica B on 2 April 2022 in the Segunda Liga game against CD Mafra. During the UEFA Youth League 2021/2022 campaign, he was one of the best defenders of the competition which Benfica won in great style.
Quotes:
‘I really admire Rúben Dias. He started playing here and look at all the things he has already achieved at Manchester City and also at Benfica. He is a person to look up to and it is important for me to have references to get to the top.’
(António Silva)
Football Talent Scout potential rating:
Player has the potential to become a key player in a top European club.
Links: