Renato Sánchez: I feel I have opened the door for Benfica academy players

Portuguese Renato Sanches has reminisced about his debut with the first team of Benfica, which occurred 11 years ago, specifically on October 30, 2015, when he first played at the age of 18 against Tondela, in a match that ended with his team winning by four goals to nil.

The 29-year-old midfielder spoke about the role that coach Rui Vitória played in giving him the opportunity to appear with the first team, confirming that his trust in him and his calm approach in dealing with him helped him to deliver his best during training.

Sánchez said: "When coach Rui Vitória arrived at Benfica, I was playing with the reserve team, and things moved quickly. I was very excited to get the chance to train with the first team, and I approached the training sessions as if they were official matches. The way the coach dealt with me was very important; he was calm and gave me the freedom and confidence to show my abilities."

He added about his debut day: "It was a very special day for me because I achieved the dream I have always had. The coach told me: go on, play your way and have a good match. He always gave me confidence, and my relationship with him was close and genuine, as his relationship with the academy players was also very good."

The Portuguese midfielder confirmed that Rui Vitória contributed to Benfica's change in policy towards young talents, stating: "Rui Vitória opened the door for Benfica Academy players and gave players like me the chance to fulfill the dream of representing the club. I feel that I helped in some way to open the door for academy players to reach the first team, and I wasn't the only one, but after me, many players got their chance."

He concluded: "That changed a lot within the club, as the academy players started to believe in the possibility of reaching the first team. Previously, opportunities were given more to players from South America and Serbia, but after my arrival, and then the emergence of Rúben Dias, Firo, and other academy graduates, the young players returned to believing in the possibility of achieving this dream."