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Bento Luís Estrela (born February 10, 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Sporting CP. 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. He immediately began playing with the club's under-19 squad.

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. 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. 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.

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.

Sporting CP

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

International career

Estrela was born in the United States, to a Portuguese mother of Cape Verdean descent. He holds American and Portuguese citizenship. In August 2021, Estrela was called into camp with the Portugal U16 side. On May 5, 2022, Estrela made his first appearance for the Portugal under-16's in a 4–1 victory against Belgium. 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."

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

Career statistics

As of match played October 15, 2023

References

1. ^ "Bento Estrela - New York Red Bulls". New York Red Bulls.
2. ^ 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

External links

• Profile at the New York Red Bulls website

• 2006 births
• Living people
• Sportspeople from Bloomfield, New Jersey
• Soccer players from Essex County, New Jersey
• Portuguese men's footballers
• Portugal men's youth international footballers
• American men's soccer players
• Portuguese sportspeople of Cape Verdean descent
• American people of Portuguese descent
• Sportspeople of Portuguese descent
• American people of Cape Verdean descent
• Men's association football midfielders
• New York Red Bulls players
• New York Red Bulls II players
• USL Championship players
• Homegrown Players (MLS)
• MLS Next Pro players
• 21st-century American sportsmen
• 21st-century Portuguese sportsmen
• Sporting CP footballers