Portuguese Benfica is counting on its striker Goncalo Ramos to overcome the Italian Inter hurdle, in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and reach the Golden Square for the first time since 1990.

Ramos, despite his young age (21 years), is accustomed to coexisting with pressures, specifically in the Qatar World Cup in December of last year when Portugal coach Fernando Santos decided (Spaniard Roberto Martinez replaced him) to start with him instead of the Golden Ball winner. For the best player in the world five times Cristiano Ronaldo against Switzerland in the round of the final price.

Ramos did not disappoint, scoring a hat-trick in the 6-1 thrashing of "Seleção" Europe, and stepping into the limelight after making his international debut just a few weeks earlier, in a friendly match.

In March, Ramos shone again against Belgian Club Brugge in the second leg of the final price of the main continental competition, by scoring two goals from five of his team (5-1), to lead Benfica to the quarter-finals for the second season in a row (Benfica won 2-0 in the first leg).

Inter's visit to Lisbon on Tuesday in the first leg of the quarter-finals is an opportunity for the Portuguese striker to put himself at the center of the transfer window, as his heart has done for many young talents in Benfica over the years.

The last of them was the Argentine midfielder Enso Fernandez, who joined Chelsea in January in exchange for a historic deal worth 121 million euros after winning the Qatar World Cup with Argentina, to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, such as Joao Felix (Chelsea player loaned from Atletico Madrid, Spain). ) and Robin Dias and Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson (Manchester City).

Ramos took a step forward in the Benfica squad after the departure of Uruguayan striker Dario Nunes to Liverpool last summer for 75 million euros, which left a void in the offensive line that the Portuguese managed to fill.

The young striker has become the focal point at the heart of the attack, having played a supporting role for Nunes and others since his debut in 2020.

Ramos arrived in the first team from the Benfica Academy after he joined it at the age of 12, and after nearly a decade, the most prominent European clubs are chasing him to win his signature.

The Portuguese striker was recently associated with Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea, while Dutchman Patrick Kluivert recommended his former club Barcelona to sign him.

"I am very grateful to Goncalo Ramos, and not only for what he achieved against Club Brugge," Benfica's German coach Roger Schmidt said in March.

He added, "I like his style that he gives to the team. He is young and scores goals in the Champions League, and it is natural that he attracts the attention of other clubs."

Ramos' goals in the league this season (17 in 23 matches) contributed to Benfica's grip on the top spot, 7 points ahead of its nearest rivals, arch-rivals Porto (71 versus 64).

Despite his loss in his home against Porto 1-2 on Friday in the 27th stage competitions, Ramos was the most dangerous by hitting the post, forcing the guest team's goalkeeper Diogo Costa to make a mistake and score in the tenth minute, before Porto rose up and turned the result in his favor.

Ramos also scored 7 goals in 12 Champions League matches, including the qualifying rounds.

New Portugal coach Martinez admitted in March that "Goncalo is having a great season at his club," although he is currently relying on veteran Ronaldo.

Ramos had a close relationship inside the green rectangle with Joao Mario, who is going through the best scoring period in his career, as the former English Inter and West Ham midfielder benefits from the development and good play of his compatriot, after spending several seasons supporting the attackers.

In turn, former Braga and Celta Vigo coach Carlos Carvalhole, the current Spanish club, praised Ramos, saying, "Above all, he is a team player."

"He has an extraordinary combination - he works, he runs, he fights - and he's a good player. He hits well with his head and feet."

Others went on to liken Ramos to Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller, something that the Portuguese striker praised even though he is stronger in air strikes.

"I think I have some similarities with him, and he's also an example to me," he said. "I like being compared to him."

Mueller's record (33 years) includes winning the Champions League twice, which is the same number of titles for Benfica in the oldest continental competition, while Ramos is still waiting to win his first title in his young career.

As an expression of appreciation for what Ramos is doing and his importance to the team, his colleague Rafa Silva, who won the title of best player in the 5-1 win over Club Brugge in the second leg of the final price, awarded him the award after his two goals.

Benfica have not tasted defeat on the European stage this season and have built their achievements on solid defensive foundations, knowing very well that they have a rare chance to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League if Ramos is at the top of his goalscoring level.