Benfica manager Marco Silva defended forward Jhon Durán following criticism stemming from remarks made by Brazilian midfielder Fred on a podcast. The controversy erupted after Fred recounted a lighthearted dressing room anecdote from their shared time at Fenerbahçe, claiming the 22-year-old Colombian striker once told him that he was already wealthy and did not need to run in training.
Benfica Manager Dismisses Podcast Context
The viral commentary originated during an appearance on The Charla Podcast, where Fred was asked to name the most eccentric teammate of his career. Recalling their time in Istanbul, the midfielder described Durán as an entertaining presence who occasionally avoided rigorous physical work by retreating to the medical department, telling teammates that his financial status secured the futures of multiple generations of his family. The remarks quickly drew international scrutiny and fueled questions regarding the young forward’s professional dedication.
Addressing reporters ahead of Benfica’s league fixture, Silva pushed back against the narrative, arguing that the comments were stripped of their informal and friendly context. According to the Benfica boss, Fred had also praised Durán’s undeniable potential during the interview, but public reaction chose to isolate only the negative remarks. Silva noted that knowing Fred personally made it clear the conversation was simply a lighthearted exchange between former colleagues rather than a serious critique of professional ethics.
Conduct and Performance in Lisbon
Silva emphasized that his evaluation of the Colombian international relies solely on what he has witnessed firsthand since taking charge at the Estádio da Luz. Durán joined Benfica on a loan agreement in July 2026 from Al Nassr, with the Portuguese club securing a purchase option set at 30 million euros following a previous 77-million-euro transfer between Aston Villa and the Saudi club in January 2025.
The Benfica coach noted that Durán’s day-to-day behavior and professionalism have met all internal standards required by the club. While acknowledging that the forward has faced physical discomfort during international duty and intense competition for places, Silva maintained that the player’s commitment in training has been entirely appropriate.
Competition and Playing Time Under Silva
Silva attributed the player’s current secondary role to the exceptional form of Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who has established himself as the team’s primary offensive focal point. Because Pavlidis has maintained a high level of performance and goalscoring output, competing forwards have experienced reduced minutes. Durán recently logged eight minutes off the bench in Benfica’s 2-0 victory over Vitória Guimarães on matchday eight of the Primeira Liga, following a brief appearance after overcoming minor physical limitations.
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