The door of the golden cage is open. Eternal top talent Mile Svilar (22) seems to be in his last months at Benfica. However, the goalkeeper can sign for 5 years in Portugal. “But Mile wants to continue his career elsewhere,” says father Ratko.
If you come across his name in lists of players with expiring contracts, you will stick around just a little longer.
What about Mile Svilar?
The wildly ambitious son of Antwerp legend Ratko was known for years as the most talented goalkeeper in the Anderlecht youth.
Svilar is barely 15 years old when he announces at a specially scheduled press conference that he “wants to be the best in the world one day”. Connoisseurs do not consider this ambition to be self-evident in the least, but neither does it stand a chance.
But barely two years later, the talented keeper leaves before his big debut in the Anderlecht shirt. The Purple & White want to keep Svilar – despite a vacant goalkeeper position – in the waiting room for a while, but the youngster’s hunger is too great.
He moves for more than two million euros to the Portuguese top club Benfica.
Youngest goalkeeper in Champions League
At first glance, this appears to be an excellent choice.
A few months after the much-discussed transition, Svilar is immediately thrown to the limelight by the retirement of Júlio César. Due to his starting spot in the Champions League match against Manchester United, he even becomes the youngest goalkeeper ever at the championship ball.
As much discussed as that record is Svilar’s match. Shortly after the break, he conceded an unfortunate goal on a free kick by Marcus Rashford. After the whistle, Romelu Lukaku brings comfort – the images of the hug and the goal go around the world.
Since then, it has become remarkably quiet around Svilar.
Only three base places – spread over the same number of seasons – would follow in the main force of Benfica. His trainers invariably opt for more experienced capstones such as Odisseas Vlachodimos and Helton Leite.
Svilar, who in the meantime chose the Serbian national team over the Belgian one, must be satisfied with minutes with the B-team.
New contract refused
Yet seven years after that one press conference at Anderlecht, Svilar is still just as ambitious. At 22, the Antwerp resident wants to prove himself more than ever at the highest level. The fact that his contract expires next summer opens the door of his golden cage.
Mile realizes it’s time to take his chance elsewhere.
Benfica nevertheless tried to charm the goalkeeper for a longer stay – in the Portuguese capital they still believe in his potential. It has been negotiating a new five-year deal in recent months that is financially attractive, but Svilar declined that proposal earlier this week because he doesn’t feel good about the sporting project.
“Mile loves life in Portugal and thinks Benfica is a great club, but realizes it’s time to take his chance elsewhere,” says Dad Ratko when we contact him.
“He does not want to stay with Benfica. His sporting future is too uncertain here – there are not enough opportunities. Whether we have already received offers? Nothing concrete yet, but clubs from Belgium and the Netherlands have already polled. We are looking at all options calmly and waiting. on the right next step for Mile.”
