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Players who played for both Benfica and Manchester City
6 famous players have played for both Benfica and Manchester City, including Bernardo Silva, Nicolás Otamendi, João Cancelo and Ederson. 5 of them played for Benfica first; 1 started at Manchester City.
Did you know?
- NolitoEarliest on this list to play for both: Benfica (2011–2013), then Manchester City from 2016.
- Rúben DiasLatest on this list: Benfica first, then Manchester City from 2020.
All 6 players, most famous first
Bernardo Silva
Portugal · Midfielder · born 1994- Benfica
- 2013–2015
- Manchester City
- 2017–2026
Nicolás Otamendi
Argentina · Defender · born 1988- Benfica
- 2020–2026
- Manchester City
- 2015–2020
- João CanceloPortugal · Defender · born 1994
- Benfica
- 2014–2015
- Manchester City
- 2019–2024
- Ederson
Brazil · Goalkeeper · born 1993- Benfica
- 2015–2017
- Manchester City
- 2017–2025
- Rúben DiasPortugal · Defender · born 1997
- Benfica
- 2017–2020
- Manchester City
- from 2020
- Nolito
Spain · Forward · born 1986- Benfica
- 2011–2013
- Manchester City
- 2016–2017
Years are club stints from Wikidata (snapshot 2026-09-28); a loan that runs straight into a transfer is shown as one stint. “from YEAR” means no end year is recorded — it is not a claim about a current club.
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Questions
How many famous players have played for both Benfica and Manchester City?
6 in our data, including Bernardo Silva, Nicolás Otamendi, João Cancelo and Ederson. The list covers famous footballers only — players covered by at least 45 language editions of Wikipedia — so it is not every player who ever wore both shirts.
Who was the first player on this list to play for both clubs?
In our data, Nolito: Benfica (2011–2013), then Manchester City (2016–2017).
Where does this list come from?
Club careers from Wikidata, the open database behind Wikipedia (public domain, CC0), snapshot 2026-09-28. Senior spells count, loans included when Wikidata records them; youth and reserve teams do not. Found a mistake? Tell us via the About page.