Fabio Silva opens up on Benfica past as Rangers star charts journey that earned £35millon transfer ahead of 'special' night

Fabio Silva reckons it’s no secret he grew up cheering for his former club Porto.

But the Rangers loan ace isn’t trying to hide the key role bitter Portuguese rivals Benfica played in his journey to Ibrox either. The 21-year-old started and finished his stint in the youth ranks with the Dragons before winning a £35million move to Wolves in 2019. But he also managed to squeeze in a short two-year stay in Lisbon with the Eagles as a schoolboy. And Silva insists that period in the Benfica academy was a vital part of his footballing education.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League reunion with his old side, the Gers frontman said: “Everyone knows who I’ve supported since I was a kid. I don’t need to say it. Everyone supports one team and that was the same for me. But the two years I had at Benfica when I was young was very good.

“Everyone gave me a lot of love. I don’t have anything [bad] to say. But then you choose to go another way in your life. It is always special to come back to my country, of course.

“It is a big game, two big teams, and a big European game and I am looking forward to my first Europa League game for Rangers. I am really excited for this game.

“I know Benfica and know some of their players from the national team too. It is nice to see some familiar faces, of course. But the most important thing for me now is Rangers.

“I am looking forward to my first European game with the club and that is what I am thinking about. But, yeah, it is special to come back to my country to see friends and family. And, of course, it is more special because I played here when I was young.

“I was here for two years and everyone gave me everything so I have nothing to say against anyone here. It is going to be special