Caixa Futebol Campus featured in The Guardian

Focused on the present and with future prospects, at Caixa Futebol Campus, in Seixal, Benfica has turned to technology to improve the performance of players that are nurtured there. The club opened the doors of the Training Center to the British newspaper "The Guardian", to show a space that continues to produce talents.

"The Guardian" spent a day at the "impressive" Caixa Futebol Campus and dedicated an long article to the report – with the title "A day inside Benfica's academy, the production line for European football" – that highlights the infrastructures of Training Center and the talents who have graduated from Seixal.

"Look at Ederson of Manchester City. When he came to me he was just a lad, too scared to leave his own penalty area. Now he takes bigger risks than anybody in the Premier League. Bernardo Silva is top as well. Benfica sold him to Monaco and after a few weeks he was speaking French on TV, he’s an example. This club gives the boys life skills to grow", said Luís Nascimento – the under-15 coach –, using the example of these two Academy graduates who now play at Manchester City, not forgetting also Renato Sanches and Victor Lindelöf.

Inaugurated in 2006, Benfica has been investing in the best technology to try to close the gap in the European football market. "The factory boasts nine pitches, 20 dressing rooms, two auditoriums, three state-of-the-art gyms and -the crème de la crème - a 360s simulator." Cutting-edge technology highlighted in the article of "The Guardian", written by Alex Clapham, who confessed being "impressed" with the atmosphere in a "very special place".

"There's a level of respect around the club. Benfica have gained a reputation as a selling club and these youngsters know their development is in good hands. In the last three years alone, Benfica have made more than 260 million euros from selling products made in Caixa Futebol Campus", reported the journalist.

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia

Pics: Isabel Cutileiro / SL Benfica