Issa Kaboré ends Benfica loan amid challenging season

Burkinabe international Issa Kaboré’s loan spell at Benfica has come to an early end.

The Manchester City defender is set to return to his parent club in England after a challenging stint in the Portuguese league.

Kaboré joined Benfica on loan from Manchester City but struggled to find his footing in the team.

The 22-year-old right-back made just seven appearances during the season, providing one assist but failing to secure a consistent place in the squad.

Portuguese outlet A Bola confirmed that Kaboré is no longer part of Benfica’s plans and is expected to report back to Manchester City.

The defender’s future with the Premier League champions remains uncertain.

While Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola faces a tough task in recalibrating his squad after a mixed first half of the season, it is unclear if Kaboré will fit into the team’s plans moving forward.

Kaboré, under contract with Manchester City until 2027, is regarded as a promising talent.

He has previously impressed during his loan spell with Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1, which has sparked interest from several clubs.

Given his reputation and potential, a move to another team may not take long if City decides to loan him out or transfer him permanently.

Despite his struggles at Benfica, Kaboré’s market value remains steady at €6 million.

The Bobo-Dioulasso native earned a salary of €1.25 million annually during his time in Portugal.

Issa Kaboré, lateral-direito de 23 anos, internacional do Burkina Faso, que chegou esta época por empréstimo do Manchester City, já não é jogador do Benfica.#Benfica #Kabore pic.twitter.com/iCoxdJ2lFK

— A BOLA (@abolapt) January 1, 2025

His next steps will be closely watched as he seeks to rebuild his career trajectory.

Benfica, meanwhile, continues their campaign in the Portuguese league and is set to face Sporting CP in a high-stakes match on matchday 16.

Kaboré’s departure is another development in a season marked by inconsistency for the Lisbon-based team.

As Kaboré returns to Manchester City, his future in football remains a point of speculation.

Whether he finds a place in Guardiola’s plans or embarks on another journey elsewhere, the young defender’s next move will be critical to his development and career prospects.