Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Bento Luís Estrela[1] | ||
Date of birth | February 10, 2006 | ||
Place of birth | Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | ||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | New York Red Bulls | ||
Number | 91 | ||
Youth career | |||
2019–2022 | New York Red Bulls | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2021– | New York Red Bulls | 0 | (0) |
2021– | New York Red Bulls II | 26 | (0) |
International career | |||
2021–2022 | Portugal U16 | 3 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of March 25, 2024 |
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.
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]
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]
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]
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 |