Introduction
Romário Baldé (born 25 December 1996) is a Guinea Bissau-born Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a winger for Benfica.
Club career
Born in Bissau, Baldé arrived in the youth ranks of Benfica at age 12, from local Estrela da Amadora.
He represented the club on the debut season of UEFA Youth League, helping them progress all the way through the final, lost to Barcelona. The following season, the 17–year old made his professional debut for Benfica B in a 2014–15 Segunda Liga match against C.D. Trofense on 9 August 2014. He also represented Benfica again in the UEFA Youth League, reaching the quarter-finals against FC Shakhtar Donetsk, where he missed a penalty, attempted in panenka style, that would have given the Eagles the lead. They were later eliminated in the penalty shootout.
In May 2015, Baldé announced that he would be leaving the club, after he could not agree on a new contract with Benfica. However, two months later, he back-tracked on that decision and signed a five-year extension with Benfica, being immediately loaned to Primeira Liga side Tondela for one season.
International career
He represented Portugal at the 2014 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, scoring one goal. Balde captained the Portugal U20s for the 2016 Toulon Tournament.
Honours
- Benfica
- UEFA Youth League: Runner-up 2013–14