"It was a very special day for me"

February 15, 2025, is a day that Leandro Santos won't forget. At the age of 19, the right-back from the Benfica youth academy made his first start in the first team jersey in the Santa Clara-Benfica match on matchday 22 of the Liga Betclic. The youngster featured in a defense that kept a clean sheet and brought all 3 points from Ponta Delgada (0-1).

"Yes, it was a very special day for me. I have to thank Benfica for the opportunity, thank God, thank my colleagues for their help and support, and the manager. I'm very happy, and I'm always going to keep working hard and try to represent Benfica in the best way," Leandro Santos began by saying in a quick interview with Sport TV.

The situation opened up a window of opportunity for another Made in Benfica youngster to make his debut in the starting eleven - and in the Liga Betclic.

"I always work the same way. I always work waiting for the opportunity. I came to work waiting for this opportunity. It's come now, and everything has gone well,", explained the no. 71.

The mission wasn't the easiest, away from home, against the team that was the sensation of the competition, in 5th place, but they embraced it with the confidence of those who had studied for the test.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game. We worked hard during the week to prepare for the game in the best possible way, and we got the three points, which is the most important thing", said Leandro.

"I'm working hard to always be ready. I'll keep working as I have been working and, whenever the manager needs me to, I'll do my best for the team," he assured.