| Bento Estrela | |
| Full Name: | Bento Luís Estrela[1] |
| Birth Date: | 10 February 2006 |
| Birth Place: | Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Height: | 1.85m (06.07feet) |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Currentclub: | New York Red Bulls |
| Clubnumber: | 91 |
| Youthyears1: | 2019–2022 |
| Youthclubs1: | New York Red Bulls |
| Years1: | 2021– |
| Clubs1: | New York Red Bulls |
| Caps1: | 0 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2021– |
| Clubs2: | New York Red Bulls II |
| Caps2: | 41 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2021–2022 |
| Nationalteam1: | Portugal U16 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 3 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 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 youngest signing in New York Red Bulls history, and 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 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 15 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 41 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | |||