Rafa called up to the National Team

Benfica became the most represented Club on Fernando Santos' call-up for the matches against Poland and Scotland after Rafa joined Rúben Dias, Gedson and Pizzi. The winger replaces Gonçalo Guedes who injured himself against Barcelona.

The call-up from October suffers a change and the winger of the Eagles integrates the batch of options. This call-up rewards the excellent season start carried out by Rafa who, so far, in all competitions has racked up 10 appearances, four goals scored– three of those in the Liga NOS –, one assist and 492 minutes played.

The four goals scored – Chaves (2), Rio Ave and Nacional – by Rafa are already a record since he arrived at Benfica because he had scored two in 2016/17 and three in 2017/18. Against Chaves, he scored his first brace with an eagle on his chest.

Apart from the four Portuguese players, there seven additional players from the squad called up to the respective national teams. Seferovic (Switzerland), Zivkovic (Serbia), Cervi and Salvio (Argentina), Yuri Ribeiro and João Félix (Portugal U-21), Castillo (Chile) will be competing between 11 and 17 of October.

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica