By their own high standards, Benfica are in a silverware drought, last winning the Portuguese league title in 2019. But according to Pedro Mil-Homens, it feels like their trophy cabinet is bursting.
As director of Benfica’s youth academy, Mil-Homens’ job is not to worry about beating rivals Porto or Sporting or progressing in the Champions League. His primary concern is to ensure the club produces the best young talent in Portugal.
This season, Benfica’s side contains three players who have passed through those doors: top scorer Goncalo Ramos, who scored a World Cup hat-trick for Portugal against Switzerland last year; Portugal defender Antonio Silva and midfielder Florentino.
The trio are helping propel Benfica towards the league title and they are on track to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, sitting on a 2-0 lead over Club Bruges before Tuesday’s last-16 second leg at home.
“We all like to win trophies but our real trophies, the important ones, are seeing our Florentino, our Antonio Silva and our Goncalo Ramos in the first team,” says Mil-Homens.