Benfica looking to sign Venezuela "saviour and icon to the country's entire population"

Benfica are looking to strengthen in the goalkeeper department this summer, and they have their eyes on Wuilker Fariñez.

Fariñez may be a bit of an unknown name to many European fans, but the 21-year old has shown great promise in South America.

Currently plying his trade for Colombian outfit Millonarios, Farinez already has a total of 102 senior appearances to his name, having started out at Caracas, the club of his birthplace in Venezuela.

Despite being just 21 years of age, he has already represented his country on 19 occasions, and is currently away at the Copa America where he has played all 3 of Venezuela’s group stage matches.

In fact, Fariñez has helped Venezuela, who are currently unbeaten in the competition, get out of their group in 2nd place, keeping an impressive clean sheet against both Brazil and Peru, with both matches finishing as a 0-0 draw.

He holds several impressive records at international level too; for example, he became the youngest goalkeeper in Venezuelan history to keep a clean sheet for the senior national team in 2016 when aged just 18 years and 3 months. He also became the youngest goalkeeper to save a penalty for Venezuela under a year later when 19 years and 41 days old. And he even helped Venezuela to finish as runners-up in the U20 FIFA World Cup in 2017.

All in all, despite his young age, Fariñez has had a very strong career - and he is clearly already beloved by Venezuelan fans.

Indeed, it seems that a few Venezuelans had got their hands on his Wikipedia page before it was rectified, with it previously claiming that he is “a Venezuelan saviour and icon to the country’s entire population.”

It went on to say that “this man is protected by the angels”, demonstrating the love that the Venezuelan people reportedly have for their current number one goalkeeper.

It seems fair to say, therefore, that Farinez would be a tremendous signing for Benfica.

Wuilker Farinez. Photo author: Agencia de Noticias ANDES. License link.