Bento Estrela

Bento Estrela
Personal information
Full name Bento Luís Estrela[1]
Date of birth (2006-02-10) February 10, 2006
Place of birth Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Sporting CP B
Youth career
2019–2022 New York Red Bulls
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2024 New York Red Bulls 0 (0)
2021–2024 New York Red Bulls II 40 (0)
2024– Sporting CP B 0 (0)
International career
2021–2022 Portugal U16 3 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of March 25, 2024

Bento Luís Estrela (born February 10, 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Sporting CP B. Born in the United States, he is a youth international for Portugal.

Club career

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Estrela joined the New York Red Bulls youth academy in July 2019, at the age of 13.[1] He immediately began playing with the club's under-19 squad.[2]

New York Red Bulls

On February 9, 2021, one day before his 15th birthday, Estrela signed a professional homegrown player deal with the New York Red Bulls.[2] At 14 years and 364 days old, Estrela was the youngest signing in New York Red Bulls history, and the 4th youngest signing in Major League Soccer history.[2] Estrela made his professional debut for New York Red Bulls II, the club's reserve side, on August 28, 2022, in their USL Championship match against Birmingham Legion.[3]

On 20 March 2024, Estrela made his U.S. Open Cup debut, appearing as a starter for New York Red Bulls II in a 5–1 victory over Hudson Valley Hammers in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup.[4]

Sporting CP

On 28 August 2024, Estrela moved to Sporting CP for an undisclosed transfer fee.[5]

International career

Estrela was born in the United States, to a Portuguese mother of Cape Verdean descent.[6] He holds American and Portuguese citizenship. In August 2021, Estrela was called into camp with the Portugal U16 side.[7] On May 5, 2022, Estrela made his first appearance for the Portugal under-16's in a 4–1 victory against Belgium.[8] In an interview with the Portuguese Football Federation, Estrela stated that "I feel Portuguese and I represent our colors. I have to do my best for the shield that I carry on my chest."[9]

On August 16, 2022, Estrela was called into camp for the United States under-17 squad.[10]

Career statistics

As of match played July 28, 2024[11]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Playoffs National cup[a] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
New York Red Bulls II 2022 USL Championship 6 0 — — — 6 0
2023 MLS Next Pro 20 0 1 0 — — 21 0
2024 MLS Next Pro 14 0 0 0 1 0 — 15 0
Career total 40 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 42 0
  1. ^ Includes U.S. Open Cup

References

  1. ^ a b "Bento Estrela - New York Red Bulls". New York Red Bulls.
  2. ^ a b c Bogert, Tom (February 9, 2021). "New York Red Bulls sign 14-year-old midfielder Bento Estrela to homegrown deal". Major League Soccer. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  3. ^ "Birmingham Legion 3–1 New York Red Bulls II". Soccerway.
  4. ^ "NYRBII- Hudson Valley (5-1)". espn.com.
  5. ^ Bulls, New York Red. "New York Red Bulls Transfer Bento Estrela to Sporting Clube de Portugal". New York Red Bulls.
  6. ^ Bulls, New York Red. "How Maria Estrela's Passion for Arts and Travel Shapes RBNY Homegrown Player, Bento Estrela". New York Red Bulls.
  7. ^ Haley, Ross (August 23, 2021). "Red Bulls Expert Guide: August 23, 2021". Once A Metro. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  8. ^ "Sub-16: Portugal vence Bélgica no Torneio de Desenvolvimento da UEFA". O Jogo. May 5, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  9. ^ "Bento Estrela: "Tenho que dar o melhor pelo escudo que carrego ao peito"". Federação Portuguesa de Futebol. May 5, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  10. ^ "U17 MNT Heads to California Training Camp". Top Drawer Soccer. August 16, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  11. ^ Bento Estrela at Soccerway
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