Jaden Umeh out for three months after Emerson Royal lunge

Benfica's latest outing, against Flamengo on Sunday, was faring well for the youngster until Brazilian Emerson Royal struck the player’s thigh with an outstretched boot.

BLOW: Cork teen star Jaden Umeh has sustained an injury for Benfica that will sideline the winger for up to three months. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Cork teen star Jaden Umeh has sustained an injury for Benfica that will sideline the winger for up to three months.

Umeh was fast-tracked into the Ireland squad for the summer friendlies, following up a substitute appearance in the win over Qatar in May by starting in the stalemate with World Cup-bound Canada in Vancouver. The 18-year-old sat his Leaving Certificate exams in the days leading up the first start.

Umeh has caught the eye with his performances in Benfica’s U21s to be promoted to first-team training by Jose Mourinho and the Special One’s successor Marco Silva kept the Irishman in his fray for the pre-season.

Their latest outing, against Flamengo on Sunday, was faring well for the youngster until Brazilian Emerson Royal struck the player’s thigh with an outstretched boot.

Emerson a entrar de forma dura sobre Umeh 😳#DAZNDesafiosBetano pic.twitter.com/65hJjobEs4

— DAZN Portugal (@DAZNPortugal) July 11, 2026

Portuguese media outlet Abola reported afterwards that the player limped to the team’s bus, sustaining a muscle injury that puts him out of action until the Autumn.

That’s a setback for a player who was hoping to break into the first-team, pushing his prospects of featuring for Ireland in competitive action.

His injury timeline makes it tight for the former Ringmahon Rangers flanker to be available for the start of the Uefa Nations League campaign.

Ireland open the six-match series with a four-game window, beginning with a trip to Kosovo on September 24.

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