18-year-old striker Anisio Cabral is playing with a level of maturity that fans rarely see in a teenager. In roughly 20 minutes of senior football, he scored twice, consequently leaving supporters in total shock.
Cabral turned 18 on February 15, 2026, and just a day later, Benfica handed him a contract extension that runs until 2031. The club decided to extend his deal because they believe in him and see him as a future star.
Benfica have built a reputation for developing top talent, and Cabral looks like the next big name. He has only just stepped onto the senior stage, yet the club moved quickly to secure his future.
The Special One praises Benfica’s rising star
Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho spoke about the young striker. The Portuguese manager praised his hold-up play and how comfortable he looks with his back to goal.
Despite being a young forward, Cabral already knows how to protect the ball and bring others into play. This enables him to turn sharply when space opens up.
Furthermore, Mourinho highlighted how quickly he gets his shots away. In addition to the praise the striker was given, there was a joke from the coach about Cabral’s heading ability. It was stated that it needs work, saying that his headed goals so far have felt like miracles.
Anisio Cabral by the numbers
Cabral’s numbers for Benfica at the youth level were impressive. In the 2022/23 season for the Under 15 level, he scored 32 goals in 31 matches. He carried that form onto the international stage.
For Portugal U16, he had eight caps and seven goals. For Portugal U17, he had 26 caps and 16 goals. For Portugal U18, he had six caps and a goal to his name.
Cabral helped Portugal Under-17 win both the UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the FIFA U-17 World Cup. He played a key role, including scoring the opening goal in the 3-0 final victory over France.
Additionally, he scored the winning goal in the World Cup final against Austria.
Cabral made his professional debut on January 25, 2026, against Estrela Amadora. The 18-year-old scored with his very first touch in professional football to make it 4-0.
About two weeks after his debut, Cabral scored again. The striker was brought on as a substitute in the 85th minute against Alverca and scored the winning goal just a minute later.
The next Didier Drogba
At a height of 1.87 metres, Cabral fits the image of a traditional number 9. He is strong and not afraid of physical contact. He thrives in transition moments.
When the game opens up, he attacks space. His left foot gives him a slightly different profile, too, which adds unpredictability.
Mourinho compared him to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who was one of the most complete strikers of the modern era.
Cabral still has a long way to go before reaching Drogba’s level, but the comparison with the Ivorian was a huge compliment. It shows how highly Mourinho rates the young forward.
Securing the future
Benfica are clearly protecting their asset by renewing his contract, as interest from major clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, is already growing.
The focus remains on development. Benfica have seen strikers come and go in recent years, and Cabral is viewed as a potential long-term successor to players like Goncalo Ramos.
The same goes for Portugal’s national team, where the search for the next leading striker is always ongoing.
The signs in Cabral’s journey are clear. He has the physical presence and the mentality to deliver. At 18, he has already given Benfica fans a glimpse of what could be a very bright future.
