Loris Benito Souto (born 7 January 1992) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Young Boys and the Switzerland national team.
![]() Benito playing for Switzerland U21 in 2013 | |||
Personal information | |||
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Full name | Loris Benito Souto[1] | ||
Date of birth | (1992-01-07) 7 January 1992 (age 30)[1] | ||
Place of birth | Aarau, Switzerland | ||
Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Left-back[2] | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Young Boys | ||
Number | 23 | ||
Youth career | |||
2000–2009 | FC Aarau | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2009–2012 | FC Aarau | 47 | (2) |
2012–2014 | FC Zürich | 58 | (0) |
2014–2015 | Benfica | 2 | (0) |
2015 | Benfica B | 3 | (0) |
2015–2019 | Young Boys | 71 | (2) |
2019–2021 | Bordeaux | 55 | (1) |
2022 | Sion | 13 | (0) |
2022– | Young Boys | 7 | (0) |
National team‡ | |||
2010–2011 | Switzerland U19 | 12 | (1) |
2011–2012 | Switzerland U20 | 6 | (0) |
2014 | Switzerland U21 | 7 | (0) |
2018– | Switzerland | 13 | (1) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 October 2022 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 November 2019 |
Benito was born in Aarau, Switzerland. A product of local FC Aarau youth ranks, Benito made his professional debut on 1 November 2009, age 17, under then coach, Martin Andermatt. His performances led to a move in 2012 to FC Zürich.[3]
On 10 March 2013, in an away match against FC Thun, Benito was bitten on the finger by a beech marten he had caught after it invaded the pitch.[4]
After solid performances in the Swiss league, news started about a potential move abroad.[5] On 22 June 2014, Benito signed a five-year deal with Portuguese champions Benfica for an unconfirmed fee of around €2.5 million.[6]
On 18 October 2014, Benito made his debut for Benfica in a win at S.C. Covilhã (2–3) in the third round of Taça de Portugal.[7] On 6 December 2014, he debuted in Primeira Liga in a home win (3–0) against Belenenses.
On 22 February 2015, Benito debuted for Benfica B against Oriental in Segunda Liga.[8]
On 23 June 2015, he returned to Swiss football, signing a four-year contract with BSC Young Boys.[9][10] His first two seasons back in Switzerland have been almost on the sidelines with injuries including a metatarsal fracture and torn ligaments in his knee.
On 30 January 2022, he signed a 1.5-year contract with Sion.[11]
On 4 July 2022, Benito returned to Young Boys with a three-year contract.[12]
In May 2019, he played in 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals, where his team finished 4th.[13]
In 2021 he was called up to the national team for the 2020 UEFA European Championship, where the team created one of the main sensations of the tournament reaching the quarter-finals.[14]
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
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1. | 16 November 2019 | Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar | ![]() | 4–1 | 6–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
He is the nephew of Ivan Benito.[16] Of Spanish descent, Benito is fluent in German, Italian, Spanish, English, Portuguese, and French.[17]
Benfica
FC Zürich
Young Boys
BSC Young Boys – current squad | |
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Switzerland squad – UEFA Euro 2020 | ||
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a Kobel replaced Omlin after Switzerland's first match. |