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Bernardo Silva: From Ball Boy to Perennial Sub to Manchester City Star

UEFA Cup first round, Lisbon, Portugal, October 2008—Benfica vs. Napoli

There were less than 10 minutes to go at Benfica's famous Estadio da Luz. Substitute Carlos Martins collected the ball for the hosts on the right flank, looked up and whipped a cross into the Napoli box. Legendary striker Nuno Gomes anticipated the delivery, flashed ahead his man, and doubled the Portuguese side's lead with a fine header.

2-0. UEFA Cup group-stage football secured. The home fans celebrated like it was a title winner against fierce rivals FC Porto.

As Gomes ran to the corner to embrace his team-mates, he didn't even notice that a ball boy with a huge grin on his face had come closer and tapped him on the back a few times.