S.L. Benfica

"Benfica" redirects here. For other uses, see Benfica (disambiguation).
This article is about the football team. For other uses, see S.L. Benfica (disambiguation).

Benfica
Full name Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Nickname(s) Benfiquistas (supporters)
As Águias (The Eagles)
Os Encarnados (The Reds)
O Glorioso (The Glorious One)
Short name SLB
Founded 28 February 1904
as Sport Lisboa[1]
Ground Estádio da Luz
Capacity 65,647[2]
President Luís Filipe Vieira
Manager Jorge Jesus
League Primeira Liga
2013–14 1st
Website Club home page

Sport Lisboa e Benfica, ComC, OM, MHIH[3][4] (Portuguese pronunciation: [spɔɾ liʒˈboɐ i bɐ̃ȷ̃ˈfikɐ]), commonly known as Benfica, or simply as SLB, is a Portuguese sports club based in Lisbon. The club is best known for its professional football team which plays in the Primeira Liga, the top tier of the Portuguese football league system, where they are the most successful and the current champions.

Founded on 28 February 1904, Benfica is one of the Big Three (Portuguese: Três Grandes) clubs in Portugal, along with its long-standing rivals Sporting CP and FC Porto, which have never been relegated from the Portuguese league since its establishment in 1934. Benfica is the most supported Portuguese club, the European club with the biggest percentage of supporters in its own country (47%),[5][6] and the biggest club in the world in membership terms, with 270,000 members.[7] It is the twenty-sixth richest football club in terms of revenue, with an annual turnover of €126 million,[8] and is evaluated as the thirty-eighth most valuable football brand in the world.[9] The club's motto is "E pluribus unum" (Out of many, one) and the official anthem is "Ser Benfiquista".[10] The club colours are red and white, the team is nicknamed Águias (Eagles) or Encarnados (Reds), and their supporters are called Benfiquistas. Benfica have played their home games at the new Estádio da Luz since 2003, which replaced the previous 49-year-old ground.[11]

Benfica is the most successful Portuguese club in terms of domestic titles (71), having won a total of 73 titles (or 74 titles, including the Latin Cup),[12] being the only club to have won all Portuguese competitions. Benfica have won a record 33 Primeira Liga titles,[13] a record 25 Taça de Portugal (and 4 consecutively) – achieving a record 10 doubles – a record 5 Taça da Liga (and 4 consecutively), 5 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira and 3 Campeonato de Portugal (a record 2 consecutive).[14] In 2014, Benfica achieved an unprecedented treble of Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal, and Taça da Liga.[15][16] It also won the Supertaça, becoming the only club to have won all four domestic titles in a year.[17][18] It is also the only club to have won the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga, moreover twice. Benfica became the first team in Portuguese league history to complete two 30-game seasons without defeats, namely the 1972–73 and 1977–78 seasons. In the former, Benfica achieved the largest difference of points ever between champions and runners-up (18 points) in a two-points-per-win system.[19] Benfica also holds the European record for the most consecutive wins in domestic league (29), between 1971–72 and 1972–73,[20] as well the record for the longest unbeaten run in Portuguese league (56), between 1976–77 and 1978–79.[21][22]

Internationally, Benfica won two consecutive European Cup in 1961 and 1962, a unique feat in Portuguese football. In addition, they were runners-up at the Intercontinental Cup in 1961 and 1962, at the European Cup in 1963, 1965, 1968, 1988 and 1990 (the Portuguese club with the most finals and a record three consecutive), and at the UEFA Cup/Europa League in 1983, 2013 and 2014 (the Portuguese club with the most finals and a record two consecutive). Benfica have reached 10 European finals, which ranks seventh all-time among UEFA clubs and is also a Portuguese record.[23] In 2000, it was ranked twelfth in FIFA Club of the Century award.[24] In 2009, it was ranked ninth in "Europe's Club of the Century" by IFFHS.[25]

Benfica is ranked sixth in the UEFA club coefficient rankings[26] and twelfth in the IFFHS World Club Ranking,[27] which are the best positions of a Portuguese club.

History

Early years (1904–1908)

Cosme Damião was the main force behind the birth of Benfica
The first Benfica team, in 1904

On 28 February 1904, a group of former students from the Real Casa Pia de Lisboa and members of Associação do Bem met at the back of Farmácia Franco on Rua de Belém with the goal of forming a social and cultural football club which would be called Sport Lisboa. There were a total of 24 people who attended the meeting, including the eighteen-year-old co-founder and future soul of the club: Cosme Damião. During the meeting, José Rosa Rodrigues was appointed as the club's (first) president, along with Daniel Brito as secretary and Manuel Gourlade as treasurer. In this historic meeting it was defined that the colours of the club would be red (for bravery) and white (for peace), and that the crest would be composed of an eagle (symbolising high aspirations), the motto "E pluribus unum" (defining union between all club members), and a football ball.[1][28][29][30]

On 1 January 1905, Benfica played their first match ever, winning 1–0 against Campo de Ourique. Despite important victories in the first few years, the club suffered due to poor operating conditions, namely the football dirt field Terras do Desembargador.[31] As a result, in 1907, eight players joined Sporting CP, located across the city. This event started the major rivalry between the two clubs.

On 13 September 1908, Sport Lisboa acquired Grupo Sport Benfica (founded on 26 July 1906 and renamed Sport Clube de Benfica in March 1908) by mutual agreement and changed its name to Sport Lisboa e Benfica. Despite the merger of the two clubs, they continued their respective club operations. For Sport Lisboa they maintained the football team, the red and white shirt colours, the eagle as the symbol, and "E pluribus unum" as the motto. For Grupo Sport Benfica they maintained the field Campo da Feiteira,[31] the main directors and the club's house. Under mutual agreement, both clubs determined that the foundation date of the newly formed club – Sport Lisboa e Benfica – should coincide with the foundation date of Sport Lisboa given that it was the most recognised club in the merger and it was already quite popular in Lisbon due to its football merits. In regard to the new club's logo, a cycling wheel was added to the crest of Sport Lisboa to represent the most important sport of Grupo Sport Benfica. As for the new club's name, "Benfica" from "Grupo Sport Benfica" was merged with "Sport Lisboa" to form "Sport Lisboa e Benfica", which remains the formal full name. Furthermore, the two entities of the new club had simultaneous members who helped to stabilise operations and later increased the success of the merger.

First national titles (1908–1950)

Benfica team in 1922

However, problems with the club's rented field remained. In 1913, Benfica moved to their first football grass field Campo de Sete Rios. Four years later they moved to Campo de Benfica due to a high rent. In 1925, Benfica moved to their own stadium, Estádio das Amoreiras,[31] and this was the place where Benfica won their first national titles.

The Portuguese league began in 1934 and, after finishing third in the first edition, Benfica won the next three championships in a row (1935–36, 1936–37, 1937–38). In 1940, Benfica won their first Taça de Portugal. In 1941, Benfica moved to Estádio do Campo Grande.[31]

Throughout the 1940s, Benfica won three Primeira Liga (1941–42, 1942–43, 1944–45) and four Taça de Portugal (1940, 1943, 1944, 1949). János Biri achieved the first double for the club in 1943.

Rise to dominance (1950–1960)

The Latin Cup

Benfica's first major international success happened in 1950 when they won the Latin Cup (the only Portuguese club to do so) – the predecessor of the European Champion Clubs' Cup – defeating Bordeaux at the Estádio Nacional, in Lisbon, with Ted Smith as manager. They reached another final of this competition in 1957 but lost to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.

With Joaquim Ferreira Bogalho elected as president in 1952 and the arrival of manager Otto Glória in 1954, Benfica became more modernised and professional, and moved into the Estádio da Luz with an initial capacity of 40,000 spectators; later expanded to 70,000 in 1960.[11][31]

During the 1950s, Benfica won three Primeira Liga (1949–50, 1954–55, 1956–57 – they were champions in 1955 but Sporting CP played the 1955–56 European Cup instead) and six Taça de Portugal (1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1957, 1959), achieving the second double in 1955 and the third one in 1957. In addition to these successes, Benfica was able to end the decade with the basic foundations in place, enabling the club to enter the 1960s as one of the best in European football.

Golden years (1960–1970)

Eusébio, Ballon d'Or winner in 1965
José Águas, twice European champion

Led by manager Béla Guttmann, Benfica was the first team to break Real Madrid's dominance in European Champion Clubs' Cup by winning two consecutive European Cup, the first against Barcelona in 1961 at the Wankdorf Stadium and the second one against Real Madrid in 1962 at the Olympic Stadium.

Later on, Benfica reached another three European Cup finals but lost them to Milan in 1963 at the Wembley Stadium, to Internazionale in 1965 at the San Siro, and to Manchester United in 1968 again at the Wembley Stadium.

Many of Benfica's successes in this decade were achieved with all-time football great Eusébio – the only player to have won a Ballon d'Or for a Portuguese club – Mário Coluna, and other notable players.

The 1960s were the best period of the club's history, in which Benfica won eight Primeira Liga (1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69), three Taça de Portugal (1962, 1964, 1969) and two European Cup (1960–61, 1961–62). Their fourth domestic double was achieved in 1964 with Lajos Czeizler and the fifth one in 1969 with Otto Glória. In 1968, Benfica was elected the European Team of the Year by France Football.

During this decade, Benfica was ranked first in European football three times.

Dominance and decline (1970–1994)

Sven-Göran Eriksson won two consecutive league titles and reached two European finals
Shéu spent his entire player career with Benfica, winning 17 major titles

During the 1970s, they faded slightly from the European scene, but remained as the main force of Portuguese football, winning six Primeira Liga (1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77) and two Taça de Portugal (1970, 1972). Jimmy Hagan led the club to three Primeira Liga and one Taça de Portugal between 1970 and 1973, achieving the club's sixth double in 1972. Benfica also attracted Europe-wide attention when they reached the semi-finals of the European Cup, where they were only narrowly defeated 1–0 on aggregate by Ajax of Johan Cruyff.

In 1972–73, Benfica became the first club in Portugal to last a whole season without defeat, winning 28 matches – 23 consecutively – out of 30, and drawing 2. In that year, Eusébio also became Europe's top scorer with 40 goals, in what was his penultimate season as a Benfica player. They scored 101 goals, breaking the 100 goals mark for the second time in the club's history, and conceded 13 goals.

In the late 1970s, early 1980s, the club had some corporate management problems but the team managed to keep up to their high standards. In 1981, Lajos Baróti secured the seventh double for Benfica by winning the Primeira Liga and the Taça de Portugal. Later, under the guidance of Sven-Göran Eriksson, the club won two consecutive Primeira Liga (1982–83, 1983–84) and one Taça de Portugal (1983), achieving their eighth double, and reached the final of the UEFA Cup in 1983 but lost on aggregate score to Anderlecht. In the same year, Benfica also won the Iberian Cup II, beating Athletic Bilbao on aggregate. Eight years later, they were runners-up against Atlético de Madrid in Iberian Cup III.

Following the completion of improvements to the stadium, the board of Benfica decided to open the third tier of the Estádio da Luz, which transformed it into the biggest football stadium in Europe and third largest in the world, with a seating capacity of 120,000 spectators (up to 135,000 in the days of 'standing behind the goals'). In 1986–87, John Moltimore won the Primeira Liga and Taça de Portugal, obtaining the ninth double for Benfica.

From 1988 to 1994, Benfica made a huge financial investment in an effort to win another European Cup, reaching two European Cup finals in 1988 and 1990 but lost them to PSV and Milan, respectively. During the same period of time, Benfica won three Primeira Liga (1988–89, 1990–91, 1993–94) and one Taça de Portugal (1993).

Crisis (1994–2003)

Estádio da Luz (1954)

Financial trouble dating back to the 1980s when Benfica completed the third tier (Terceiro Anel) of the Estádio da Luz, along with the dream of becoming European Champion again, started to deteriorate the club finances. The rampant spending and a questionable signing policy, which allowed for squads composed of well over 30 players, further aggravated the problem.

Consequently, the period from 1994 through 2003 was arguably the darkest in the history of Benfica. During this time, Benfica only won the Taça de Portugal in 1996 and had their lowest Primeira Liga finishing positions, such as sixth in 2000–01 and fourth in 2001–02. The club entered in default during João Vale e Azevedo's presidency, which further damaged the club finances and credibility, and nearly every year hired two or more managers. Eleven managers shared the seat from 1994 to 2002, including Mário Wilson, thrice.

It was during this period that Benfica signed Simão Sabrosa for €12 million, smashing the Portuguese transfer record, and decided to build the new Estádio da Luz on 28 September 2001, which would eventually cost €162 million.[32][33][34]

Rebuilding years (2003–2009)

31st league title celebration

In the 2003–04 season, with a new president, Luís Filipe Vieira, and new manager, José Antonio Camacho, Benfica won their 24th Taça de Portugal defeating José Mourinho's FC Porto in the final (2–1). They dedicated the trophy to the Hungarian player Miklós Fehér who had died in January 2004.[35]

In 2004–05, Benfica won their 31st Portuguese League (the first in ten seasons) with Giovanni Trapattoni as manager. Later on, the club president, manager, and the first-team squad travelled to Hungary to deliver the Portuguese championship gold medal to Fehér's parents.[36]

In 2005–06, Benfica won their fourth Supertaça against Vitória de Setúbal (1–0). In Europe, Benfica managed to reach the quarter-finals of UEFA Champions League defeating Manchester United 2–1 in the decisive group stage encounter, and then overcoming the European champions Liverpool 3–0 on aggregate. However, Benfica lost in the quarter-finals to the eventual Champions League winners Barcelona by an aggregate of 2–0, both goals coming during the second leg at Camp Nou.

In 2006–07, Benfica found themselves again facing Manchester United in a decisive Champions League group match in which the winner would advance. However, this time Manchester United prevailed, gaining revenge in a 3–1 win.

On 20 August 2007, manager Camacho returned to Benfica on a two-year contract, following the sacking of Fernando Santos after one match in the Primeira Liga (a tie against promoted Leixões), at a time when Benfica was facing a vital Champions League qualifying match against Copenhagen. A successful move since Benfica guaranteed a place in the Champions League after defeating Copenhagen 1–0, but exited the competition at the group stage and were put into UEFA Cup, where they lost to Getafe. Camacho resigned on 9 March 2008. Afterwards, with Fernando Chalana as an interim manager, they failed to gain a top three finish in the league, and were placed in the UEFA Cup.

On 22 May 2008, Quique Flores was appointed as Benfica's new manager where he won the club's first Taça da Liga defeating Sporting CP. In the Primeira Liga they finished third and got a place in the UEFA Europa League.

On 8 June 2009, Quique Flores resigned as manager after agreeing to a friendly contractual termination.[37]

Jesus years (2009–present)

32nd league title celebration

On 17 June 2009, Benfica signed Jorge Jesus.[38]

In the 2009–10 season, Benfica had the highest average attendance in the league (50,033)[39] and their highest home attendance was 58,659 against Porto, a match won by Benfica 1–0. On 21 March 2010, Benfica beat Porto 3–0 in the Taça da Liga final and won their second consecutive league cup trophy. In Europe, Benfica was drawn against Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. At the Estádio da Luz, Benfica defeated Liverpool 2–1 but were eliminated after a 4–1 loss at Anfield.[40] On 9 May 2010, Benfica won their final league match against Rio Ave and became champion of the 2009–10 Primeira Liga,[41] conquering their 32nd Primeira Liga title and securing a direct entry into the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League. Óscar Cardozo finished top scorer of the Primeira Liga with 26 goals.[42]

In 2010–11, after participating in the Champions League, Benfica moved to Europa League and progressed to their first European semi-final in eighteen years. They lost on the away goals rule after a 2–2 result against Braga. On 23 April 2011, Benfica won the Taça da Liga final against Paços de Ferreira, clinching their third consecutive title in this competition.[43] The club finished second in Primeira Liga.

In 2011–12, Benfica reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, being eliminated by eventual winners Chelsea;[44] won their fourth consecutive Taça da Liga,[45] and was second in Primeira Liga qualifying directly to the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League. Óscar Cardozo was the top scorer of Primeira Liga for the second time, with 20 goals.[46] In January 2012, Benfica was ranked eight in World Club Ranking by IFFHS.[47]

2013 UEFA Europa League Final

In 2012–13, Benfica returned to a European final,[48] after coming third in their Champions League group, Benfica reached the Europa League final but lost 2–1 to the 2012 European champions Chelsea. It was the ninth European final overall for Benfica and the first since the 1990 European Cup final.[49][50] Domestically, Benfica was second in Primeira Liga by one point, despite leading before the penultimate day.[51] They reached the semi-finals of the Taça da Liga but lost in penalty shootout against the eventual winners Braga. They reached the final of the Taça de Portugal but lost (1–2) against Vitória de Guimarães with the first goal conceded being an offside goal.[52][53] Benfica had the highest average attendance (42,366) of Primeira Liga.[54]

The 2013–14 season was one of the best in the club's history as Benfica won their 33rd champions title,[13][55][56] their fifth Taça da Liga, without conceding a single goal (record),[57] reached the Europa League final for a second consecutive time, without any defeat (record),[58][59][60] and won their 25th Taça de Portugal, achieving their tenth Portuguese double.[61] On 18 May 2014, Jorge Jesus achieved an historic treble for Benfica and a unique one in Portuguese football.[62][63] Benfica completed the season unbeaten at home in all five competitions,[64] and had the best defence of all European leagues with 18 goals conceded.[65] Lima was the top goalscorer with 21 goals (14 in the league). In terms of average home attendance, the club improved the previous number to 43,613.[66] In January 2014, Benfica was ranked tenth in World Club Ranking by IFFHS.[67][68] The year of 2014 was also marked by the deaths of Eusébio and Mário Coluna.

Benfica started the 2014–15 season by winning the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, thus establishing a new Portuguese record of all four domestic titles won in a year.[17][18] In August 2014, RSSSF ranked Benfica as the best team in UEFA competitions over the last five years, fourth in the last ten years, and seventh in the all-time ranking.[69]

Support

Fanmade earthwork resembling Benfica crest

The supporters of Benfica are known as Benfiquistas. They call the club o Glorioso (the Glorious One) hence the popular chant "Glorioso SLB".

Due to the success and popularity of its football team and other sports, Benfica has built the biggest fanbase in Portugal[5] with an estimated 5,8 million fans (historically 6 million),[29] and one of the biggest in the world with an estimated 14 million fans spread across different countries such as Andorra, Angola, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Croatia, France, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Mozambique, Netherlands, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom, and the United States.[6][70][71] In some of these countries, Benfica has supporters' clubs – Casas do Benfica (Benfica Houses) – which are places where Benfiquistas can meet and watch Benfica games.[72]

The club also has filiations and delegations which are autonomous clubs: Lusitano, Santa Clara, Angrense, Benfica e Castelo Branco (Portugal), Benfica de Luanda, Benfica do Lubango, Benfica do Huambo (Angola), Travadores (Cape Verde), Benfica de Macau (Macau), Sport London e Benfica (England), and so on.

On 9 November 2006, Benfica set the Guinness World Record for "the most widely supported football club", with 160,398 paid-up members.[73] As of 2014, Benfica is the biggest club in the world, with 270,000 members.[7]

Benfica is the European club with the biggest percentage of supporters in its own country (47%)[5] and has the twenty-fourth highest average attendance of European football clubs, which is the highest in Portugal.[66]

Rivalries

Derby de Lisboa

Lisbon derby in April 2013
Main article: Derby de Lisboa

The Derby da Capital is the most important football derby in Portugal. It is played between the Lisbon teams of Benfica and Sporting, and is followed worldwide, especially in the former Portuguese colonies.

O Clássico

Main article: O Clássico

The rivalry between Benfica and FC Porto comes about as Lisbon and Porto are the two largest Portuguese cities, respectively. They are the most successful and influential teams in Portugal.

Records and statistics

Statue of all-time top goalscorer Eusébio
For more details on this topic, see List of S.L. Benfica records and statistics.

Eusébio is the all-time top goalscorer with 474 goals in 440 matches. Nené has the most official appearances overall (575). Luisão has the most appearances in European matches and is the captain with most matches.[74] Cosme Damião is the longest-serving manager (18 years). Jorge Jesus is the manager with the most matches, wins, draws, and domestic titles won.

Benfica was the first club to win the Primeira Liga without a defeat during the 1972–73 season and also the first to do it twice in 1977–78.[19] In 1972–73, Benfica won 23 matches in a row and set the Portuguese league record for the most consecutive wins. They finished the season with 58 points in 30 matches, the most ever obtained (96.7% efficiency), and achieved the largest difference ever between champions and runners-up (18 points), in a 2 points per win system. Benfica also holds the Portuguese record of 56 matches in Primeira Liga without a defeat from 24 October 1976 to 1 September 1978.[21][22]

In terms of titles won, Benfica holds the Portuguese records of 2 consecutive European Cup, 10 European finals, 33 Primeira Liga, 25 Taça de Portugal, 5 Taça da Liga, 10 doubles (excluding the 2 league and league cup doubles), and a unique domestic treble (league, cup and league cup).[14]

In 1965–66 European Cup, Benfica scored 18 goals against Stade Dudelange and achieved the highest goal aggregate in European Cup/UEFA Champions League. Benfica also holds the European record of 29 consecutive wins in domestic league, between 1971–72 and 1972–73.[20] In UEFA Europa League, Benfica have the most games played, goals scored and wins, and is the only club to have reached two finals consecutively, the most recent without any defeat, which is a record.[58]

Recent seasons

Ángel Di María playing for Benfica in 2007
Further information: List of S.L. Benfica seasons
Season Pos Pld W D L GF GA Pts Top league scorer Goals Top overall scorer Goals TP TL ST UCL UEL
2004–05 1st 34 19 8 7 51 31 65 Simão 15 Simão 22 RU — RU Q3 R32
2005–06 3rd 34 20 7 7 51 29 67 Nuno Gomes 15 Nuno Gomes 17 QF W QF —
2006–07 3rd 30 20 7 3 55 20 67 Simão 11 Simão 16 R16 — GS QF
2007–08 4th 30 13 13 4 45 21 52 Óscar Cardozo 13 Óscar Cardozo 22 SF R4 GS R16
2008–09 3rd 30 17 8 5 54 32 59 Óscar Cardozo 17 Óscar Cardozo 17 R16 W — — GS
2009–10 1st 30 24 4 2 78 20 76 Óscar Cardozo 26 Óscar Cardozo 38 R32 W — — QF
2010–11 2nd 30 20 3 7 61 31 63 Óscar Cardozo 12 Óscar Cardozo 23 SF W RU GS SF
2011–12 2nd 30 21 6 3 66 27 69 Óscar Cardozo 20 Óscar Cardozo 28 R16 W — QF —
2012–13 2nd 30 24 5 1 77 20 77 Lima 20 Óscar Cardozo 33 RU SF — GS RU
2013–14 1st 30 23 5 2 58 18 74 Lima 14 Lima 21 W W — GS RU
  • R4 = Fourth round, Q3 = Third qualifying round, GS = Group stage, R64 = Round of 64, R32 = Round of 32, R16 = Round of 16, QF = Quarter-finals, SF = Semi-finals, RU = Runners-up, W = Winners

Crest and colours

Eagle and motto at the entrance of the stadium
Águia Vitória is the mascot

Benfica's crest is composed of an eagle – as a symbol of independence, authority, and nobility – positioned atop the shield with the colours red and white – symbolising bravery and peace, respectively – the motto "E pluribus unum" (Out of many, one) – defining union between all members – and the acronym "SLB" for Sport Lisboa e Benfica, over a football ball; everything superimposed on a bicycle wheel which was taken from the Grupo Sport Benfica.[28][75]

Emblem evolution

The club has had four main crests since its inception in 1904.

The origin of Benfica's current crest goes back to 1908 when Sport Lisboa was merged with Grupo Sport Benfica. Back then, only red and white colours were displayed on the crest. In 1930, the crest was altered and the colours from the flag of Portugal were added. Sixty-nine years later, in 1999, the crest was changed again. The most significant changes were the modification and repositioning of the eagle, and the reduction of the wheel's size.[76]

Benfica have used commemorative crests since 2010 by adding stars on top of it. In 2010, they changed the crest and added one star to celebrate their first European Cup. In 2011, they added two stars to commemorate their second European Cup. In 2012, they started using three stars, each star representing 10 Portuguese leagues won by the club.[77][78]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1977–1984 Adidas none
1984–1987 Shell
1987–1990 Fnac
1990–1992 Hummel
1992–1994 Casino Estoril
1994–1996 Olympic Parmalat
1996–1997 Telecel
1997–2000 Adidas
2000–2001 Netc
2001–2002 Telecel/Vodafone
2002–2005 Vodafone
2005–2008 PT
2008–2012 TMN
2012–2015 MEO
2015–2021 TBD

Benfica have had a total of three kit manufacturers since 1977, and ten shirt sponsors since 1984.[79][80]

The club's first kit manufacturer was Adidas from 1977 to 1990 (thirteen seasons), and the first shirt sponsor was Shell from 1984 to 1987 (three seasons). Fnac was the next sponsor until 1992 (five seasons). Two years before, in 1990, kit manufacturer changed to Hummel, until 1994 (four seasons) along with Casino Estoril since 1992 (two seasons). In 1994, both the kit manufacturer and shirt sponsor changed, the former changed to Olympic until 1997 (three seasons) and the latter changed to Parmalat until 1996 (two seasons). Then, Telecel sponsored Benfica until 2000 (four seasons). Three years before, in 1997, Adidas started manufacturing the kit again. In 2000–01, the shirt was sponsored by Netc (netcetera). In 2001–02, the shirt sponsor was shared between Telecel and Vodafone. The following year, Vodafone continued to be the sponsor until 2005 (four seasons). Then, Portugal Telecom (PT) was the sponsor for the next three seasons. In 2008, shirt sponsor changed to TMN also for three seasons. In 2012, MEO became the shirt sponsor until 2015, again three seasons.[81]

On 19 April 2014, it was announced that Benfica and Adidas had renewed the previous ten-season contract of 2003 until 2021.[82]

Grounds

A panorama of the new Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal
For the training centre and youth academy, see Futebol Campus.

During their history, Benfica had to play (mostly) in rented fields until 1925. Then, after their own stadium was built, they played there until 1940. In 1941, they started playing at the rented municipal stadium before moving to their own second stadium, fourteen years later.[31] From 1954 to 2003, Benfica played at the old Estádio da Luz, the largest stadium in Europe and the third largest in the world in terms of capacity at the time. It was demolished and the new stadium was built.

Benfica have played at the Estádio da Luz (officially named Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica), located in Lisbon, Portugal, since 2003. The stadium has a capacity of 65,647 spectators;[2][83] 64,642 in Primeira Liga matches.

A UEFA category four stadium,[84] the new Estádio da Luz hosted several matches of the UEFA Euro 2004, including the final. On 20 March 2012, the stadium was designated the venue for the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final, which was played on 24 May 2014.[85]

Museum

Main article: Museu Benfica

The Museu Benfica – Cosme Damião, located near the stadium, was inaugurated on 26 July 2013 and opened to the public three days later on 29 July.[86] It was considered the Best Portuguese Museum of 2014.[87]

Honours

As of 11 August 2014, Benfica have won a record 33 Primeira Liga, a record 25 Taça de Portugal, a record 5 Taça da Liga, 5 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, 3 Campeonato de Portugal (71 domestic titles), and 2 European Cup (73 titles).

Domestic

Winners (33): 1935–36, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1941–42, 1942–43, 1944–45, 1949–50, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1993–94, 2004–05, 2009–10, 2013–14 (record)
Winners (25): 1939–40, 1942–43, 1943–44, 1948–49, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1961–62, 1963–64, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1992–93, 1995–96, 2003–04, 2013–14 (record)
Winners (5): 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14 (record)
Winners (5): 1980, 1985, 1989, 2005, 2014
Winners (3): 1929–30, 1930–31, 1934–35

European

Winners (2): 1960–61, 1961–62
Runners-up (5): 1962–63, 1964–65, 1967–68, 1987–88, 1989–90
Runners-up (3): 1982–83, 2012–13, 2013–14

Worldwide

Runners-up (2): 1961, 1962

Doubles and Trebles

10: 1942–43, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1963–64, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1986–87, 2013–14 (record)
2: 2009–10, 2013–14 (record)
1: 1960–61
1: 2013–14 (record)

Players

For reserve team players, see S.L. Benfica B. For under-19 team players, see S.L. Benfica Juniors.

Current squad

As of 11 April 2015 [88]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Brazil GK Artur
2 Argentina DF Lisandro López
4 Brazil DF Luisão (captain)
5 Serbia MF Ljubomir Fejsa
6 Portugal MF Rúben Amorim (vice-captain)
7 Greece MF Andreas Samaris
8 Serbia FW Miralem Sulejmani
9 Brazil FW Derley
10 Argentina MF Nicolás Gaitán
11 Brazil FW Lima
13 Portugal GK Paulo Lopes
14 Uruguay DF Maxi Pereira (vice-captain)
15 Netherlands MF Ola John
17 Brazil FW Jonas
No. Position Player
18 Argentina MF Eduardo Salvio
19 Portugal DF Eliseu
20 Brazil GK Júlio César
21 Portugal MF Pizzi
23 Switzerland DF Loris Benito
25 Uruguay FW Jonathan Rodríguez (on loan from Peñarol)
24 Italy MF Bryan Cristante
28 Portugal DF Sílvio (on loan from Atlético Madrid)
30 Brazil MF Talisca
33 Brazil DF Jardel
34 Portugal MF André Almeida
37 Brazil DF César
78 Portugal FW Gonçalo Guedes

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
3 Portugal DF Steven Vitória (at Philadelphia Union until 31 December 2015)
16 Portugal FW Nélson Oliveira (at Swansea City until 30 June 2015)
32 Portugal FW Tiago "Bebé" (at Córdoba until 30 June 2015)
42 Brazil DF Luís Felipe (at Joinville until 31 December 2015)
50 Portugal MF Candeias (at Granada until 30 June 2015)
— Portugal FW Ivan Cavaleiro (at Deportivo until 30 June 2015)
— Brazil MF Airton (at Botafogo until 30 June 2015)
No. Position Player
— Argentina FW Rogelio Funes Mori (at Eskişehirspor until 30 June 2015)
— Argentina MF Luis Fariña (at Deportivo until 30 June 2015)
— Portugal DF João Cancelo (at Valencia until 30 June 2015)
— Brazil DF Sidnei (at Deportivo until 30 June 2015)
— Portugal FW Yannick Djaló (at Mordovia Saransk until 30 June 2015)
— Serbia MF Filip Đuričić (at Southampton until 30 June 2015)

Retired numbers

No. Player Position Benfica debut Last match
29 Hungary Miklós Fehér FW 24 August 2002 25 January 2004

On 27 January 2004, the club decided to retire the squad number 29 in memory of Miklós Fehér, who died while playing for Benfica on 25 January 2004 at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques.[35][89]

Personnel

Technical staff

Jorge Jesus is the current team manager
Position Name
Head coach Jorge Jesus
Assistant coach Raúl José
Miguel Quaresma
Minervino Pietra
Goalkeeping coach Hugo Oliveira
Fitness coach Mário Monteiro
Benfica LAB coordinator Bruno Mendes
Motivational consultant Evandro Mota
Video analyst Marco Pedroso
Director of football Lourenço Coelho
B team coach Hélder Cristóvão

Source: S.L. Benfica

Management

Luís Filipe Vieira is the current president
Position Name
President Luís Filipe Vieira
Vice-president Rui Cunha
Rui Gomes da Silva
Domingos Almeida Lima
José Eduardo Moniz
Nuno Gaioso
João Varandas Fernandes
Alcino António
Sílvio Cérvan
President of general assembly Luís Nazaré
President of fiscal board Nuno Afonso Henriques

Source: S.L. Benfica

Other sports

Active departments of
Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Football Futsal Basketball
Roller hockey Handball Volleyball
Rugby union Athletics Swimming
Table tennis Sport fishing Billiards
Canoeing Gymnastics Judo

Active sections

Extinct sections

Media

Main articles: Benfica TV, O Benfica and Mística

Benfica TV is a sports television network created and operated by Benfica, which includes two premium channels available in high-definition. BTV1 live broadcasts Benfica home matches in Primeira Liga, Benfica B and Farense in Segunda Liga, youth department, and other sports, including the youth levels. BTV2 broadcasts live matches of Premier League and Greek Super League. It also airs the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Moreover, the club publishes the weekly newspaper O Benfica and the bimonthly magazine Mística.

Ownership

Members

The members of Benfica, who are called sócios, democratically elect the club president for a four-year term by voting in each candidate list, forming the highest governing body of the club. They also participate in the general assemblies (if they are shareholders), submit proposals, take part in discussions, and so forth. They can be elected for the governing bodies, to be designated for positions or functions at the club, etc.[28] Benfica was the first Portuguese club to have elections and the first club in the world to use electronic voting, since 2003.[90]

Finances

Sport Lisboa e Benfica S.A.D.
Traded as Euronext: SLBEN
Revenue Increase €105,039,030 (2013–14)
Increase €33,526,913 (2013–14)
Increase €14,165,000 (2013–14)
Total assets Increase €440,679,267 (2013–14)
Total equity Increase (€8,401,237) (2013–14)

Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD (a public limited company)[91] was created by João Vale e Azevedo on 10 February 2000 with an initial equity of €75 million.[92][93] There were five major reasons for creating an autonomous entity to manage the professional football team:[94]

Benfica SAD entered the PSI-20 on 21 May 2007[95] with an initial stock value of €5 on 15,000,001 shares. On 15 June 2007, Joe Berardo launched an initial public offering of Benfica SAD for €3.50 a share.[96] On 23 December 2009, Benfica SAD, after a vote of its members, decided to increase the equity to €115 million by absorbing Benfica Estádio, SA. The initial equity of €75 million was by then completely lost, when the SAD was in balance sheet insolvency. This increase in equity meant that more than 7,999,999 were on the stock market. Benfica valued them at €5 each. They were admitted to the stock market on 14 June 2012.[94] In Portugal, companies in the stock market index are obligated to provide information to their shareholders and CMVM, and every semester a more detailed report is published.[97] In 2009–10, Benfica SAD posted losses of €11.3 million, an improvement from the nearly €30 million loss in 2008–09. In 2010–11, Benfica continued in the red, posting losses of €7.6 million,[98] even after the sale of David Luiz to Chelsea.[99] In 2011–12, SAD posted losses of €11.7 million,[100] after earning approximately €21 million from the Champions League and selling Fábio Coentrão and Roberto for approximately €38 million.[101][102][103] In 2012–13, SAD posted losses of €10.3 million and generated a club record €51.5 million with the sales of Javi García and Axel Witsel for a total revenue of more than €145 million.[104] On 31 July 2014, the SAD completed the acquisition of Benfica Stars Fund by spending around €28.9 million for 85%, purchasing the remaining economic rights of seven players in a total of nine, which belonged to the fund.[105][106] In 2013–14, SAD posted profits of €14.1 million, the total revenue was of €185 million with expenses of €151 million, both a club record. It was the first record profit since 2006–07.[107] The club has been praised for its transfer policy in recent years.[108]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Foundation". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Estadio da Luz". World Stadium Database. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "Decorations and Honorary Orders". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas" [Portuguese Honorary Orders] (in Portuguese). Presidency of the Portuguese Republic. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Concentration of people supporting the most popular club" (PDF). UEFA. 17 April 2014. p. 41. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Benfica à escala mundial" [Benfica at worldwide scale] (in Portuguese). Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Benfica continua a ser o clube com mais sócios do mundo" [Benfica continues to be the world's club with the most members] (in Portuguese). SAPO Desporto. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "Deloitte Football Money League 2015" (PDF). Deloitte. January 2015. p. 4. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "The Brand Finance Football 50 2014 - The world's most valuable football brands". Brand Finance. May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  10. ↑ Weiss, Jessica (27 March 2012). "Showing Support in Song". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (1954)" (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  12. ↑ "Benfica diz que é o clube português com mais títulos" [Benfica say they are the club with the most titles] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2015. Dados oficiais dizem que o Benfica apanhou o FC Porto na lista de troféus no futebol, com 74 cada. (Official data shows that Benfica reached FC Porto in the trophies list, with 74 titles each.)
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Benfica seal 33rd Portuguese title". UEFA. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Liga Portugal" [Portugal League] (in Portuguese). Liga Portugal. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "Benfica lift cup to seal historic treble". UEFA. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  16. ↑ "Benfica conquista Taça e consegue o triplete em Portugal" [Benfica conquers Portuguese Cup and achieves the treble in Portugal] (in Portuguese). FIFA. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Benfica seal Super Cup win on penalties". UEFA. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Benfica 0-0 Rio Ave (3-2 on penalties): Portuguese champions win another trophy". Goal. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Stokkermans, Karel (23 December 2013). "Unbeaten during a League Season". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Maiores séries de vitórias seguidas na Europa" [Biggest series of consecutive wins in Europe] (in Portuguese). UEFA. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Martins, Paulo (27 July 2004). "SL Benfica's series of 56 matches unbeaten in the I Divisão". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Viegas, João (1 September 2013). "Dragões voltam a falhar o recorde do Benfica" [Dragons fail again the record of Benfica] (in Portuguese). Record. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  23. ↑ Considering only the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Europa League finals as seasonal tournaments, Benfica is ranked in European football in terms of finals played in UEFA competitions after, in chronological order, Real Madrid (16: 13 UCL, 2 UCWC and 2 UEL), Milan (14: 11 UCL and 3 UCWC), Barcelona (13: 7 UCL and 6 UCWC), Juventus (12: 7 UCL, 1 UCWC and 4 UEL), Bayern Munich (12: 10 UCL, 1 UCWC and 1 UEL) and Liverpool (11: 7 UCL, 1 UCWC and 3 UEL).
  24. ↑ "The FIFA Club of the Century" (PDF). FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2007. Retrieved 28 May 2014. The FIFA Club of the Century was voted exclusively by the readers of the bi-monthly FIFA Magazine
  25. ↑ "Europe's Club of the Century". IFFHS. 10 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  26. ↑ "Member associations - UEFA rankings - Club coefficients". UEFA. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  27. ↑ "Club World Ranking 2014". IFFHS. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 "Statutes" (PDF). S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Silveira, João (30 August 2011). "História Benfica" [Benfica History] (in Portuguese). zerozero. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  30. ↑ "Classic club: Eagles ready to take flight". FIFA. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 31.5 "História dos Estádios" [Stadiums history] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  32. ↑ "Benfica e Barcelona assinam transferência de Simão" [Benfica and Barcelona sign Simão transfer] (in Portuguese). Record. 27 June 2001. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  33. ↑ "Estádio que tinha "preço máximo fixo garantido" de 23 milhões de contos e acabou a custar 32 milhões, mas mesmo assim "custou menos do que o orçamentado"." [Stadium had a fixed cost of 23 million "contos" and ended costing 32 million but cost less than the planned] (in Portuguese). Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  34. ↑ Silveira, João (24 October 2012). "Estádio da Luz: a Catedral" [Estádio da Luz: the Cathedral] (in Portuguese). zerozero. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Miklos Fehér partiu há 11 anos" [Miklos Fehér died 11 years ago] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  36. ↑ "Benfica trip a tribute to Fehér". UEFA. 31 May 2005. Archived from the original on 16 May 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  37. ↑ "Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Futebol SAD informa rescisão amigável com equipa técnica" [Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Futebol SAD informs friendly contractual termination with technical staff] (PDF). S.L.Benfica (in Portuguese). CMVM. 8 June 2009. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  38. ↑ "Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Futebol SAD informa acordo Jorge Jesus" [Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Futebol SAD informs Jorge Jesus agreement] (PDF). S.L.Benfica (in Portuguese). CMVM. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  39. ↑ Paulo, Isabel (19 May 2010). "Benfica é o 10.º clube europeu com maiores assistências" [Benfica is the tenth European club with the biggest attendances] (in Portuguese). Expresso. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  40. ↑ "Benfica eliminado em Liverpool" [Benfica eliminated in Liverpool]. Visão. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  41. ↑ "Futebol: Benfica campeão – Equipa vai desfilar de autocarro até ao Marquês de Pombal" [Champions Benfica will bus parade until to Marquess of Pombal] (in Portuguese). Agência Lusa. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  42. ↑ "Benfica: Cardozo foi o melhor marcador da Liga Europa" [Cardozo top scorer of Europa League] (in Portuguese). Maisfutebol. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  43. ↑ Santigao, Eduardo; Agre, João (20 April 2011). "Benfica vence Taça da Liga" [Benfica wins League Cup]. SAPO Notícias. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  44. ↑ "Benfica eliminado da Champions pelo Chelsea após derrota em Londres" [Benfica eliminated from Champions League by Chelsea after defeat in London] (in Portuguese). Jornal de Notícias. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  45. ↑ "Benfica vence Taça da Liga pela quarta vez" [Benfica wins the League Cup for the fourth time] (in Portuguese). Agência Lusa. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  46. ↑ "Cardozo foi o melhor marcador" [Cardozo was the top scorer] (in Portuguese). SOL. 12 May 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  47. ↑ Calado, Paulo (12 January 2012). "Encarnados são a 8.ª melhor equipa do Mundo" [Encarnados are the eighth best team in the World] (in Portuguese). Record. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  48. ↑ Vaza, Marco; Sousa, Hugo (2 May 2013). "A primeira final europeia de Jorge Jesus será a nona para o Benfica" [The first European final for Jorge Jesus will be the ninth for Benfica] (in Portuguese). Público. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  49. ↑ Taylor, Louise (15 May 2013). "Jorge Jesus hopes to resurrect Benfica and break European curse". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  50. ↑ Kane, Desmond (15 May 2013). "Europa League – Ivanovic heads Chelsea to last-gasp glory against Benfica". Eurosport UK. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  51. ↑ Bailey, Paul (20 May 2013). "Porto claim Portuguese title after outrageous penalty decision". GiveMeSport. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  52. ↑ "Benfica's Portuguese Cup defeat caps disastrous finale". BBC Sport. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  53. ↑ de Beer, Brendan (24 May 2013). "Vitoria crowned Portuguese Cup champions". The Portugal News. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  54. ↑ "Attendances Portugal average (2012–13)". European Football Statistics. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  55. ↑ "Benfica novo campeão da Liga Zon Sagres" [Benfica new champions of Liga Zon Sagres] (in Portuguese). Liga Portugal. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  56. ↑ "Benfica beat Olhanense to take title". FIFA. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  57. ↑ "Benfica venceu esta competição sem sofrer um golo" [Benfica won the League Cup without conceding a goal] (in Portuguese). SAPO Desporto. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 "Benfica é rei sem coroa da competição" [Benfica is king without chrown in Europa League] (in Portuguese). Record. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  59. ↑ Gardner, Paul (15 May 2014). "Brazen goalkeeper cheating helps Sevilla win Europa League". Soccer America. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  60. ↑ "Europa League: 10-man Benfica fends off Juventus, returns to final". Sports Illustrated. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  61. ↑ "Quadro de honra de 2014" [2014 Honour roll] (in Portuguese). UEFA. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  62. ↑ "Portuguese League Cup boosts Benfica". UEFA. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  63. ↑ "Benfica proud of mammoth Portuguese haul". UEFA. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  64. ↑ "Benfica complete unbeaten home campaign". UEFA. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  65. ↑ "Italianos destacam defesa menos batida do Benfica" [Italians stand out Benfica's less beaten defence] (in Portuguese). A Bola. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 "Primeira Liga 2013/2014 " Attendance " Home matches". Worldfootball. May 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  67. ↑ "IFFHS: Benfica 10.º melhor clube do Mundo em 2013" [IFFHS: Benfica tenth best club in the World in 2013] (in Portuguese). A Bola. 9 January 2014. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  68. ↑ Barreira, Miguel (9 January 2014). "Benfica no 10.º lugar do ranking dos melhores do Mundo" [Benfica ranks tenth of World's best]. Record. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  69. ↑ "European Football Clubs Rankings". RSSSF. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  70. ↑ "As verdades deturpadas da história do Benfica" [The twisted truths of Benfica history] (PDF) (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  71. ↑ Queirós, Eugénio (10 September 2012). "Benfica líder: 5,8 milhões de adeptos" [Benfica leader: 5,8 millions of fans] (in Portuguese). Record. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  72. ↑ "Benfica Supporters' Clubs". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  73. ↑ "Most widely supported football club". Guinness World Records. 9 November 2006. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  74. ↑ Bragança, José (28 April 2015). "Luisão, um capitão para a história" [Luisão, a captain for history] (in Portuguese). zerozero. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  75. ↑ "Symbols". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  76. ↑ "Benfica não vai alterar emblema" [Benfica won't change crest] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 17 December 2007. Archived from the original on 27 April 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  77. ↑ "Benfica vai ter 3 estrelas no equipamento" [Benfica will have 3 stars above the crest] (in Portuguese). Maisfutebol. 1 March 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  78. ↑ "Benfica: Nomes antigos" [Benfica: Historic evolution] (in Portuguese). zerozero. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  79. ↑ "SLB Camisolas Originais". SLB Camisolas Originais (in Portuguese). 16 November 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  80. ↑ "Sport Lisboa e Benfica Soccer Shirts". Benfica Soccer Shirts. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  81. ↑ Duarte, Pedro Oliveira (28 October 2014). "PT deixa de patrocinar Benfica, Sporting e Porto" [PT stops sponsoring Benfica, Sporting and Porto]. VAVEL.com (in Portuguese). Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  82. ↑ "Benfica e Adidas renovam acordo até 2021" [Benfica and Adidas renew deal until 2021] (in Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  83. ↑ "Estádio da Luz - Features / Areas". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  84. ↑ "List of UEFA Elite Stadiums 2011". Impressive Buildings. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  85. ↑ "Estádio da Luz é o palco da final em 2014 – Liga dos Campeões" [Estádio da Luz is the venue for the 2014 Champions League final] (in Portuguese). Record. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  86. ↑ Belo, Miguel; Martins, Nuno (26 July 2013). "Museu dá o pontapé de saída" [Museum kicks off] (in Portuguese). Record. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  87. ↑ "Museu Cosme Damião considerado o melhor português de 2014" [Museu Cosme Damião considered the best Portuguese museum of 2014] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  88. ↑ "First team". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  89. ↑ "El Benfica retirará el dorsal número 29 en recuerdo a Miklos Feher" [Benfica will retire the number 29 shirt in memory of Miklós Fehér] (in Spanish). Libertad Digital. 27 January 2004. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  90. ↑ "Comunicado da Assembleia Geral sobre voto electrónico" [General Assembly announcement about electronic vote] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  91. ↑ "Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD (PLC) Statutes". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  92. ↑ "Venda de terrenos do Benfica explica saneamento e opção-SAD" [Sale of lands by Benfica explained for budgetary improvements and SAD option] (in Portuguese). Record. 11 February 2000. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  93. ↑ "Benfica SAD". S.L. Benfica. 21 May 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  94. ↑ 94.0 94.1 "Prospecto de admissão à negociação ao Euronext" [Information to Euronext for admission of shares] (PDF) (in Portuguese). CMVM. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  95. ↑ José, Luís (21 May 2007). "Benfica entra na bolsa com mercado em recuperação financeira" [Benfica joins stock market while in financial recovery] (in Portuguese). Jornal de Negócios. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  96. ↑ "Especial OPA de Joe Berardo sobre a Benfica SAD" [Special public offering by Joe Berardo over Benfica SAD] (in Portuguese). Agência Financeira. 21 June 2007. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  97. ↑ "Relatório de Contas do 1º semestres de 2011–12" [First semester of 2011–12 financial information] (PDF). S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). CMVM. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  98. ↑ "Relatório e Contas Consolidado e Individual 2010/2011 após aprovação em Assembleia Geral" [Financial Report 2010–11] (PDF). S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). CMVM. 30 November 2011. p. 27. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  99. ↑ "Chelsea complete £21.3m Luiz signing". ESPNsoccernet. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  100. ↑ "Relatório e Contas Consolidado e Individual 2011/2012 após aprovação em Assembleia Geral" [Financial Report 2011–12] (PDF). S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). CMVM. 30 November 2012. pp. 28, 29. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  101. ↑ "Benfica comunica à CMVM venda de Fábio Coentrão por 30 M€" [Benfica sells Coentrão for €30 million] (in Portuguese). Portal NetMadeira. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  102. ↑ "Benfica vende Roberto por 8,6 milhões de euros" [Benfica sells Roberto for €8,6 million] (in Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  103. ↑ "Benfica recebe 20 milhões" [Benfica earns 20 million in Champions League] (in Portuguese). Maisfutebol. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  104. ↑ "2012–13 Financial Report" (PDF). S.L. Benfica. CMVM. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  105. ↑ "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  106. ↑ "Águias resgatam jogadores ao Benfica Stars Fund por 29 milhões" [Eagles rescue players from Benfica Stars Fund for €29 million] (in Portuguese). Record. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  107. ↑ "2013–14 Financial Report" (PDF). S.L. Benfica. CMVM. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  108. ↑ "Spanish" [Benfica, the 'team' which best negotiates in the world]. Pasión Libertadores. 30 December 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2014.

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