The worst kept secret in football was all but confirmed this morning. José Mourinho’s departure from Benfica to return to Real Madrid has been widely reported as a done deal, not least by the usually reliable Fabrizio Romano.
🚨 BREAKING: José Mourinho back to Real Madrid, HERE WE GO! 💣🤍
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 18, 2026
All terms have been verbally agreed between José Mourinho and Real Madrid, waiting to sign all documents.
Plan for initial two year deal, JM to travel to Madrid after Real-Bilbao game.
The Special One is back. pic.twitter.com/K267WgiqjC
Portugal’s most successful ever coach could not bring the good times back to the Estádio da Luz in his second spell at the club.
Despite going through the entire Primeira Liga season unbeaten, Benfica finished third and therefore miss out on Champions League qualification for the first time in 17 years. With neither of the domestic cups won and failure to reach the knockout phase of the Champions League, it has to go down as a hugely disappointing campaign for the Lisbon giants.
Club president Rui Costa is under intense pressure, having delivered just one league title in five years since taking control of the Lisbon giants.
As well as recruiting the next coach, Costa and his administration will likely require an overhaul of the squad ahead of next season.
“Coluna Vermelha” is an excellent X account on all things Benfica, and last week he posted an analysis of which players are likely to depart the club over the summer. With kind permission, PortuGOAL reproduces a translated copy of his thoughts here.
Players who very probably will play their last game for Benfica against Estoril:
Anatoliy Trubin (goalkeeper)
I’m not going to waste too much time. I think Trubin is better than some Benfiquistas think he is, but it is also evident that he was expected to develop more than he has developed. He ends his contract in 2028. I wouldn’t renew it now. He’s going to be on the market in the summer, and someone will want to buy him.
Alexander Bah (right-back)
We are not yet certain of Benfica’s plan in relation to Daniel Banjaqui [academy right-back], but playing the Europa League will make it easier to put him in the first team, and given the need to exchange expensive contracts for cheaper players, this will be an easy decision.
Nicolas Otamendi (centre-back)
38 years old. Several mistakes throughout the season. An obvious lack of speed. I think this will be the captain’s last game. I don’t think Benfica will manage to sign a centre-back of António Silva’s quality at the price he could be sold for. I believe they will try to renew his contract again in the next few months.
[Note: Otamendi’s departure was subsequently confirmed]
Obrigado, Capitão 🫡❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/7okKEXhMso
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) May 17, 2026
Two central midfielders
Given the more than probable departure of José Mourinho, the list of departures may change. But I believe Benfica will be in the market for a midfielder similar to Fredrik Aursnes, and if they do then at least two players will be leaving. Leandro Barreiro seems the most consensual at the moment. Richard Ríos has more market. Enzo Barrenechea and Manu Silva seem to be two more obvious departures. The new coach will have an influence on the decision.
Bruma (winger)
He never really earned his place in the side and now, after his injuries, I don’t believe Bruma will be here next year. I believe some may have expected me to put Sidny Cabral here, and probably they would be right, but with the Europa League, I think Sidny Cabral is an excellent player as a back-up for several positions.
Andreas Schjelderup (winger)
I write this with heavy heart because I think he would be the best player in the Portuguese league next season. But with Benfica desperate to generate revenue through sales, Schjelderup is the player that can bring in the most money immediately and his contract has still not been renewed. I think he’ll be sold, and I think he’ll be sold at below his proper price.
Vangelis Pavlidis or Franjo Ivanovic (strikers)
Pavlidis will have a market and Benfica needs to sell. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was him who ends up leaving. But the most likely in my opinion is Franjo Ivanovic.
And endless list of players who have played for the first team but never really counted:
Joshua Wynder, Diogo Prioste/João Veloso, Nuno Félix, João Rego and Henrique Araújo. It depends on who the coach will be, but I think Diogo Prioste or João Veloso could stay as the fifth central midfielder of the first team. Rafael Luís could be an option here too. The rest will leave, and some will leave on a permanent basis.
Our thanks to Coluna Vermelha. Be sure to bookmark the account to stay up to date with the latest news and views concerning Benfica. Here is the original text.
Jogadores que muito provavelmente estarão hoje pela última vez num jogo do Benfica:
— Coluna Vermelha (@CurtaVermelha) May 16, 2026
- Anatoliy Trubin
Não vou perder muito tempo. Acho que o Trubin é melhor do que alguns Benfiquistas acham, mas também é visível que seria de esperar que evoluísse mais do que evoluiu. Termina… pic.twitter.com/nvE16xGBf3
