César Henrique Martins

Between 2014 and 2018, César was a Benfica player almost in name only. Signed from Ponte Preta for €2.2 million for half of his economic rights, he collected a Primeira Liga title, a Taça da Liga and a Supertaça with the Lisbon club, yet spent nearly the whole spell out on loan — first to the reserves, then to Flamengo, Nacional, Vitória de Setúbal and finally Juventude, where the arrangement was cut short in January 2018.

The clearest moment of his career had come earlier, and away from Portugal. At Ponte Preta in 2013, César helped push the club to the final of the Copa Sudamericana, where they lost out to Lanús.

There was also a stranger night, in June 2016, while on loan at Flamengo: with a goal from Gabriel Jesus looming, César handled the ball to stop it going in, an act that left him facing the threat of suspension.

After leaving Benfica for good, his career settled into a steadier, less decorated rhythm away from the Portuguese giants. He joined Santa Clara permanently in 2018 and stayed two years, then moved on a free transfer to Farense.