Prestianni has been the great figure of Benfica at the start of this new era and follows the footsteps of compatriot Di María, who also stated herself definitely in the Light in the third season. Double double, used in basketball slang, is just one of the coincidences.
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30/09/2026
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Dafter a very turbulent first half of 2026, Gianluca Prestianni entered everything in this new season, stating himself as one of the main figures of the Benfica de Marco Silva. The young Argentine extreme has been prominent since summer and is getting closer and closer to imitating the path of an old acquaintance in the Light.
With eight goals and three assists in the first 12 games played by Benfica in 2026/27, Prestianni walks to achieve what, in basketball slang, is called a double-double. That is, get to the two digits in goals and assists.
At the same time, Prestianni can follow in the footsteps of Ángel Di María, a countryman who also ‘exploded’ in Benfica in the third season.
Hired to Rosario Central in the summer of 2007, the Argentine promise took a couple of years to adapt to Portugal, shining after Jorge Jesus arrived at the technical command of the eagles in 2009. At that time, Di María crashed the records of the two previous seasons serving Benfica, ending 2009/2010 with 10 goals and 17 assists.
Di María's exhibitions in Luz were so impressive that they led Real Madrid to hire him in the summer of 2010, investing more than 30 million euros.
Now, 17 years later, there's a new Argentine magician on the loose in Benfica, practically the same age as Di María was when she said herself in the Light.
Similarities also include Argentinian nationality and the potential of Prestianni to see its name gain greater dimension in the international market if it maintains the current exhibitional level. Perhaps with a leap in the career of dimension similar to what Di María made the following summer.
The first fruits have even appeared, since Prestianni's market value has doubled. According to the latest update of Transfermartkt, the Argentine advanced is now worth 40 million euros, plus 20 million compared to May.
On the verge of leaving in the summer..
Interestingly, Prestianni even had one foot outside Benfica in the summer, even before the start of the official games in July. Far from being an important piece for José Mourinho, the predecessor of Marco Silva, the incarnated SAD admitted to letting the Argentinean out for an amount of around 20 million euros.
The Trabzonspor Turks came to have the negotiations well advanced, but the transfer of Prestianni would eventually fall.
...and ‘saved’ by Marco Silva
The Argentine extreme even started the new season at a disadvantage, since it could not be an option to start the preliminary phase of the Europa League, for having to fulfill a FIFA punishment for the case in which it insulted Vinícius Júnior, but managed to convince Marco Silva.
Benfica's trainer has already expressed, on several occasions, Prestianni's focus and commitment in preseason training, highlighting his commitment despite being punished.
Marco Silva has, moreover, been quite clear about the importance of the Argentine player in the offensive maneuver of Benfica, addressing him torn praises and having no problem explaining that the intermittence in the eleven of Andreas Schjelderup – the great figure in 2025/26 – is due to the high performance of Prestianni.
“ I have no doubt what Prestianni is and what he will be in the future. The first moment I had him available to play, you know the show he had. Playing on the left, and has played much more on the left, but in many games it has been on the right and in other games it has been in the position it started today. He's a player who can do the three positions behind the advanced. And you do them very well. You can play as inside to the right and, to the left, is stronger as inside to the left, by the movements that makes that space inside. Very pleased with him. A player who to the intensity he plays and the intensity he trains, then this is reflected during the game. He's a player with a very, very big confidence because he also works hard. I turn to mention: the great moment he is living had much to do with the preseason and the way he prepared himself, knowing that he was not going to play the first two games. From day one I wanted to demonstrate its quality. Shut up, I realized I couldn't play both games, but always working hard. When he had moments in the practice games, he showed his quality. We are very pleased”, said Marco Silva, this September, after the victory in the stronghold of Moreirense.
“He’s an excellent boy, still very young. He's only 20, but full of talent, full of quality. It is up to us to continue to guide you as best we can, give you the way to play the way you have played, enjoy your football. He's a player who also likes to work hard, as he knows he has to be a champion of our team. His future will be for what he works for, because talent has plenty”, the technician of eagles shot.
Opportunity with Scaloni?
After gaining space in Benfica, Prestianni also now returned to the Argentine national team, with Lionel Scaloni being able to give him minutes in front of Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin. A new step in a path that gradually begins to gain contours similar to those of another Argentine who left mark in the Light.