Bento Luís Estrela (born February 10, 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls. Born in the United States, he is a youth international for Portugal.
Club career
Born in Newark, New Jersey, Estrela joined the New York Red Bulls youth academy in July 2019, at the age of 13.[1] He immediately began playing with the club's under-19 squad.[2]
New York Red Bulls
On February 9, 2021, one day before his 15th birthday, Estrela signed a professional homegrown player deal with the New York Red Bulls.[2] At 14 years and 364 days old, Estrela was the 4th youngest signing in Major League Soccer history.[2] Estrela made his professional debut for New York Red Bulls II, the club's reserve side, on August 28, 2022, in their USL Championship match against Birmingham Legion.[3]
On 20 March 2024, Estrela made his U.S. Open Cup debut, appearing as a starter for New York Red Bulls II in a 5–1 victory over Hudson Valley Hammers in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup.[4]
International career
Estrela was born in the United States, to a Portuguese mother of Cape Verdean descent.[5] He holds American and Portuguese citizenship. In August 2021, Estrela was called into camp with the Portugal U16 side.[6] On May 5, 2022, Estrela made his first appearance for the Portugal under-16's in a 4–1 victory against Belgium.[7] In an interview with the Portuguese Football Federation, Estrela stated that "I feel Portuguese and I represent our colors. I have to do my best for the shield that I carry on my chest."[8]
On August 16, 2022, Estrela was called into camp for the United States under-17 squad.[9]
Career statistics
- As of match played October 15, 2023[10]
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | National Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| New York Red Bulls II | 2022 | USL Championship | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 0 | |
| 2023 | MLS Next Pro | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 22 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | MLS Next Pro | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
References
- ^ a b "Bento Estrela - New York Red Bulls". New York Red Bulls.
- ^ a b c Bogert, Tom (February 9, 2021). "New York Red Bulls sign 14-year-old midfielder Bento Estrela to homegrown deal". Major League Soccer. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- ^ "Birmingham Legion 3–1 New York Red Bulls II". Soccerway.
- ^ "NYRBII- Hudson Valley (5-1)". espn.com.
- ^ Bulls, New York Red. "How Maria Estrela's Passion for Arts and Travel Shapes RBNY Homegrown Player, Bento Estrela". New York Red Bulls.
- ^ Haley, Ross (August 23, 2021). "Red Bulls Expert Guide: August 23, 2021". Once A Metro. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- ^ "Sub-16: Portugal vence Bélgica no Torneio de Desenvolvimento da UEFA". O Jogo. May 5, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- ^ "Bento Estrela: "Tenho que dar o melhor pelo escudo que carrego ao peito"". Federação Portuguesa de Futebol. May 5, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- ^ "U17 MNT Heads to California Training Camp". Top Drawer Soccer. August 16, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- ^ Bento Estrela at Soccerway
External links
- Profile at the New York Red Bulls website