Bento, the promising Brazilian goalkeeper, emerged onto the scene with Athletico Paranaense in November 2021 at the age of 21. His debut in the Copa Libertadores came as a result of COVID-19 sidelining more seasoned goalkeepers Santos and Jandrei. Despite starting with a 3-0 loss against Palmeiras in his league debut, Bento’s potential was evident.
Hailing from Curitiba, Bento has solely played for clubs within Brazil thus far. However, his possession of an Italian passport facilitates a potential move to Europe, enhancing his appeal to international clubs. Following Santos’s departure in 2022, Bento secured his spot as Athletico Paranaense’s primary goalkeeper and has since accumulated 107 league appearances in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A.
Comparisons and International Recognition
Standing tall at 6’4″, Bento draws comparisons to former Juventus goalkeeper and current Bournemouth captain Neto. Beyond their physical similarities, both goalkeepers began their careers at Athletico Paranaense. Bento’s consistency and performance have not gone unnoticed, earning him call-ups to the Brazil national team squad.
In August 2023, Bento received his first call-up from interim coach Fernando Diniz, and he made his debut against England at Wembley, delivering a clean sheet in a crucial victory. This success continued as he maintained his spot for Brazil’s subsequent match, a thrilling 3-3 draw against Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu.
European Interest and Transfer Speculation
At just 24 years old, Bento has become a target for European clubs seeking a goalkeeper for the future. Inter has expressed interest in him as a potential successor to Yann Sommer’s position. However, Chelsea’s recent interest may complicate matters for Inter, as reports suggest a potential battle for Bento’s signature in the upcoming summer transfer window.
