Benfica has officially renewed the contract of Portuguese left-back José Neto, securing the services of the 18-year-old defender through the 2030-31 season.
The renewal was confirmed by the club on Friday, April 24, 2026, extending Neto’s agreement until June 30, 2031. The player, who wears the number 62 jersey for the first team, has been part of Benfica’s youth system since 2017 after joining from Mineiro Aljustrelense.
Neto made his senior debut for Benfica B during the 2024-25 season, appearing in one match. He also featured once for the Benfica first team in the same campaign, marking his arrival at the highest level of Portuguese football.
Born on April 19, 2008, in Aljustrel, Portugal, Neto stands at 1.84 meters tall and primarily plays as a left-back, though he is also capable of operating as a centre-back. His contract renewal comes after a standout year with Portugal’s youth international teams.
During the 2024-25 season, Neto represented Portugal at multiple youth levels. He earned three caps for the Portugal U16 team, 15 appearances and one goal for the Portugal U17 side, and two caps for the Portugal U18 team as of December 14, 2025.
His contributions were instrumental in Portugal’s success at the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship held in Albania, where he helped the team secure the title. Neto was also part of the squad that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar later that year.
The Guardian highlighted Neto’s development in 2025, describing him as “a meticulous full-back, both defensively and in his attacking role,” reflecting his growing reputation as one of Portugal’s most promising young defenders.
According to Transfermarkt, Neto’s current market value is €3.00 million. His agent is represented by CAA Stellar, and he is registered as a Portuguese citizen.
The contract extension includes a last renewal date of April 24, 2026, aligning with the official announcement date. Neto remains linked to Benfica’s UEFA U19 and U23 squads through the club’s developmental structure.
Benfica’s decision to secure Neto’s long-term future underscores the club’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent from its renowned academy, often referred to as Seixal. The left-back position has been a area of focus for the Eagles as they plan for sustained success domestically and in European competitions.
As of the 2025-26 season, Neto continues to train and develop with Benfica B whereas maintaining involvement with the first-team setup. His progression will be monitored closely by the coaching staff as he aims to establish himself as a regular contributor in the coming years.
The renewal provides stability for both player and club, allowing Neto to focus on his development without contract uncertainty amid growing interest from other European clubs monitoring his progress.
Benfica will look to integrate Neto further into first-team plans as he gains experience, with his versatility across the back line offering tactical flexibility for head coach Bruno Lage or his successors.
The next checkpoint in Neto’s development will be his performance in Benfica B’s Liga Portugal 2 fixtures and potential opportunities in Taça de Liga or Taça de Portugal matches during the 2026-27 season.
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