Benfica

Full name	Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Nickname(s)	Benfiquistas (supporters) As Águias (The Eagles) Os Encarnados (The Reds) O Glorioso (The Glorious One)
Founded	28 February 1904 (120 years ago) (1904-02-28) as Sport Lisboa
Ground	Estádio da Luz
Capacity	65,647
President	Luís Filipe Vieira
Manager	Jorge Jesus
League	Primeira Liga
2013–14	Primeira Liga, 1st
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Sport Lisboa e Benfica ComC OM MHIH^[1] (Portuguese pronunciation: [spɔɾ liʒˈboɐ i bɐ̃ȷ̃ˈfikɐ]), commonly known as Benfica, or simply as SLB, is a Portuguese multi-sport club based in Lisbon. The club is best known for its professional football team that plays in the Primeira Liga, where they are 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 Porto, who have never been relegated from the Portuguese league since its establishment in 1933. Benfica is the most supported Portuguese club and it is the European club with the biggest percentage of supporters in its own country (47%),^[2][3] having the highest membership of any football club in the world.^[4][5][6] It is the twenty-sixth richest football club in terms of revenue, with an annual turnover of €109.2 million,^[7] and is evaluated as the thirty-eighth most valuable football brand in the world.^[8] The club's motto is "E pluribus unum" (Out of many, one) and its official anthem is "Ser Benfiquista".^[9] Benfica is nicknamed Águias (Eagles) or Encarnados (Reds), while their supporters are called Benfiquistas. Since 2003, Benfica have played their home games at the new Estádio da Luz, which replaced the previous 49-year-old ground.

Benfica is the most successful Portuguese club in terms of domestic titles (71), having won a total of 73 titles, being the only club to have won all Portuguese competitions. Benfica have won a record of 33 Primeira Liga titles,^[10] a record of 25 Taça de Portugal (and 4 consecutively) — achieving a record of 10 doubles — a record of 5 Taça da Liga (and 4 consecutively), 5 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira and 3 Campeonato de Portugal (a record 2 consecutive).^[11] In 2014, Benfica achieved an unprecedented treble of Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal and Taça da Liga.^[12][13] It also won the Supertaça, becoming the only club to have won all four domestic titles in a year.^[14][15] It is also the only club to have won the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga, 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.^[16] Benfica also holds the European record for the most consecutive wins in domestic league (29), between 1971–72 and 1972–73, as well the record for the longest unbeaten run in Portuguese league (56), between 1976–77 and 1978–79.^[17][18]

Internationally, Benfica won the European Cup/UEFA Champions League in 1961 and 1962, a Portuguese feat. 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 European Cup finals played and the only with three consecutive finals), and at the UEFA Cup/Europa League in 1983, 2013 and 2014 (the Portuguese club with the most UEFA Cup/Europa League finals played and the only with two consecutive finals). Benfica have reached 10 European finals, which ranks seventh all-time among UEFA clubs and is also a Portuguese record.^[19] In 2000, it was ranked twelfth in FIFA Club of the Century award.^[20] In 2009, it was ranked ninth in "Europe's Club of the Century" by IFFHS.^[21] In January 2014, it was ranked tenth in World Club Ranking by IFFHS.^[22][23] Benfica is ranked 5th in UEFA club rankings, currently the best position of a Portuguese club.^[24]

History

Early years (1904–1908)

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 the Farmácia Franco on Rua de Belém with the goal of forming a social and cultural football club that would be called Sport Lisboa. There were a total of 24 people who attended the meeting, including the eighteen years 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 the crest composed of an eagle (symbolising high aspirations), and the motto "E pluribus unum" (Out of many, one).^{[25][26][27][28]}

Despite important victories in the first few years, the club suffered due to poor operating conditions, namely the football dirt field Terras do Desembargador. 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 by mutual agreement the Grupo Sport Benfica (founded on 26 July 1906 and renamed Sport Clube de Benfica in March 1908) 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, 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 which helped to stabilise operations and later increased the success of the merger.

First titles (1908–1950)

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

Rise to dominance (1950–1960)

Benfica's first major international success happened in 1950 when they won the Latin Cup, 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.

During the 1950s, Benfica won three Primeira Liga (1949–50, 1954–55, 1956–57) 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.

European Champions (1960–1970)

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 Cups, 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, captain 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 consecutive European Champions Cup (1960–61, 1961–62). The 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 no less.

Dominance and decline (1970–1994)

During the 1970s, the team faded slightly from the European scene, but remained 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 Champions Cup, where the team was 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 and won 28 matches — 23 consecutively — out of 30, and drew 2. In that year, Eusébio also became Europe's top scorer with 40 goals, in what was his penultimate season as a Benfica player. The team 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 again. 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 the 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 level 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)

Financial trouble dating back to the 1980s when Benfica completed the third tier (Terceiro Anel) of the Estádio da Luz and a long time dream of making Benfica again European Champion 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 aggravating 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. Benfica entered in default during the João Vale e Azevedo term of club presidency which further damaged the club finances and credibility, and nearly every year saw the hire of two or more managers, between 1994 and 2002, eleven managers shared the seat, Mário Wilson, three times no less.

It was during this period that Benfica paid €13 million for Simão Sabrosa, smashing the Portuguese transfer record, and decided to build the new Estádio da Luz on 28 September 2001, which would eventually cost €162 million.^[29][30][31]

Rebuilding years (2003–2009)

In 2003–04 season, with new president Luís Filipe Vieira and new manager José Antonio Camacho, Benfica won their 24th Taça de Portugal defeating José Mourinho's Porto in the final (2–1).

In 2004–05, Benfica won their 31st Portuguese League (the first in ten seasons) with Giovanni Trapattoni as manager. 2004 was marked by the death of the Hungarian player Miklós Fehér during a match against Vitória de Guimarães at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques. The wake was held at the same stadium and then Benfica's president and the entire squad travelled to Hungary for the player's burial.

In 2005–06, Benfica won their fourth Supertaça against Vitória de Setúbal (1–0). In Europe, Benfica managed to reach the quarter-finals of 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 it was Manchester United who 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 the 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 then exited the competition at the group stage. The team was put into UEFA Cup where they lost to Getafe. Camacho resigned on 9 March 2008, then with interim manager Fernando Chalana the club failed to gain a top three finish in the league, placing the team in the UEFA Cup.

On 22 May 2008, former Valencia manager Quique Flores was appointed as Benfica's new manager where he won the club's first Taça da Liga defeating Sporting CP. The club was third in Primeira Liga getting a place in the Europa League.

On 8 June 2009, Quique Flores resigned as manager after agreeing to a friendly contractual termination. On 17 June, he was replaced by former Braga manager Jorge Jesus.

The Jorge Jesus Era (2009–present)

In 2009–10 season, Benfica had the highest average home attendance of 50,033^[32] and the highest mark 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 its second consecutive 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 was eliminated after a 4–1 defeat at Anfield.^[33] On 9 May 2010, Benfica won their final league match against Rio Ave and became champion of the 2009–10 Primeira Liga,^[34] 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.^[35]

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. The team 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.^[36] 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;^[37] won their fourth consecutive Taça da Liga,^[38] 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.^[39] In 2012, Benfica was ranked eight in World Club Ranking by IFFHS.^[40]

In 2012–13, Benfica returned to a European final,^[41] after coming third in their Champions League group, Benfica reached the final of the Europa League 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.^[42][43] Domestically, Benfica was second in Primeira Liga despite leading until the penultimate day.^[44] 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 suffered a defeat (1–2) against Vitória de Guimarães with the first of the two goals suffered being an offside goal.^[45][46] Benfica had the highest average attendance (42,366) of Primeira Liga.^[47]

The 2013–14 season was one of the best in the club's history as Benfica won their 33rd champions title,^[10][48][49] their fifth Taça da Liga, without conceding a single goal (record),^[50] reached the Europa League final for a second consecutive time, without any defeat (record),^[51][52] and won their 25th Taça de Portugal, achieving the tenth Portuguese double. On 18 May 2014, Jorge Jesus achieved an historic treble for Benfica and a unique one in Portuguese football.^[53][54] Benfica completed the season unbeaten at home in all five competitions,^[55] and had the best defence of all European leagues with 18 goals conceded.^[56] 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.^[57]

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.^[14][15] In August 2014, RSSSF ranked Benfica as the best team in UEFA competitions over the last 5 years, fourth in the last 10 years, and seventh in all-time ranking.^[58]

Support

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 such as athletics, basketball, cycling, futsal, roller hockey and others, Benfica has built the biggest fan base in Portugal^[2] with an estimated 5,8 million fans (historically 6 million), 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.^[59][60][3]

Since 2006, Benfica holds the Guinness World Record for the football club with the most members with a total of 235,000,^[4][5] leaving behind Bayern Munich (223,985) and Barcelona (177,246).^[6] It is the European club with the biggest percentage of supporters in its own country (47%).^[2]

The club has the twenty-fourth highest average attendance of European football clubs, which is the highest in Portugal.^[57]

Rivalries

The Derby da Capital is the most important football derby in Portugal. It is played between the Lisbon teams of Benfica and Sporting. The rivalry originated back in 1907 when eight Benfica players moved to Sporting. The match is followed worldwide, being transmitted live especially in the former Portuguese colonies.

The rivalry between Benfica and F.C. Porto comes about as Lisbon and Porto are the two largest Portuguese cities, respectively. These clubs are two of the wealthiest, currently the most successful and influential football teams in Portugal. The rivalry stems from the historical, political, economical and cultural clash between the cities of Porto and Lisbon, where the clubs are based.

Records and statistics

Nené has the most official appearances overall (575) and Luisão has the most appearances in European matches (108). Eusébio is the all-time top goalscorer with 474 goals in 440 matches, while José Águas places second with 374 goals in 384 matches, followed by Nené with 360 goals in 575 matches.

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.^[16] The club holds the record of 56 matches in Primeira Liga without a defeat from 24 October 1976 to 1 September 1978.^[17][18]

Cosme Damião is the longest-serving coach, having taken charge of the team for for 18 years, while Jorge Jesus became the first Portuguese coach to win all four domestic competitions in a single year (2014).[142] Béla Guttmann was the only coach to win a European competition for Benfica

Recent seasons

Italic = Still in competition

Crest and kit

Benfica 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), 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.^[62][25]

Crest evolution

The origin of the crest goes back to 1908 when Sport Lisboa was merged with Grupo Sport Benfica. The crest was modified in 1930 and 1999, the last modification was essentially the repositioning of the eagle.^[63] Since 2008, the club has been using a commemorative crest about important football titles in its history by adding stars on top of it.^[64][65]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Grounds

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 with a capacity of 65,647 spectators. It has a current capacity of 64,642 in Primeira Liga matches.

Since 2003, Benfica have played at the Estádio da Luz (officially named Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica), located in Lisbon, Portugal.

The new Estádio da Luz hosted several matches of the UEFA Euro 2004, including the final match. On 20 March 2012, the stadium was designated the venue for the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final.^[67]

Museum

The museum was inaugurated on 26 July 2013, named in honor of Cosme Damião.

Honours

Domestic competitions

• Primeira Liga

Winners (33) (record): 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

Runners-up (27): 1943–44, 1945–46, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1955–56, 1958–59, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1973–74, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1981–82, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1995–96, 1997–98, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13

• Taça de Portugal

Winners (25) (record): 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

Runners-up (10): 1938–39, 1957–58, 1964–65, 1970–71, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1988–89, 1996–97, 2004–05, 2012–13

• Taça da Liga

Winners (5) (record): 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14

• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira

Winners (5): 1980, 1985, 1989, 2005, 2014

Runners-up (11): 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2004, 2010

• Campeonato de Portugal

Winners (3): 1929–30, 1930–31, 1934–35

Runners-up (1): 1937–38

European competitions

• European Cup / UEFA Champions League

Winners (2): 1960–61, 1961–62

Runners-up (5): 1962–63, 1964–65, 1967–68, 1987–88, 1989–90

• UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League

Runners-up (3): 1982–83, 2012–13, 2013–14

Intercontinental competitions

• Intercontinental Cup

Runners-up: 1961, 1962

Other competitions

• Latin Cup^[68]

Winners (1): 1950

Runners-up (1): 1957

• Iberian Cup

Winners (1): 1983

Runners-up (1): 1991

Players

Current squad

As of 1 September 2014.^[69]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  BRA Artur 2 DF  ARG Lisandro López 3 DF  POR Steven Vitória 4 DF  BRA Luisão (captain) 5 MF  SRB Ljubomir Fejsa 6 MF  POR Rúben Amorim (vice-captain) 7 MF  GRE Andreas Samaris 8 FW  SRB Miralem Sulejmani 9 FW  BRA Derley 10 MF  ARG Nico Gaitán 11 FW  BRA Lima 13 GK  POR Paulo Lopes 14 DF  URU Maxi Pereira (vice-captain) 15 MF  NED Ola John 16 FW  POR Nélson Oliveira 18 MF  ARG Eduardo Salvio

No. Pos. Nation Player 19 DF  POR Eliseu 20 GK  BRA Júlio César 21 FW  POR Pizzi 22 FW  ARG Franco Jara 23 DF  SUI Loris Benito 24 MF  ITA Bryan Cristante 28 DF  POR Sílvio (on loan from Atlético Madrid) 30 MF  BRA Talisca 32 FW  POR Bebé 33 DF  BRA Jardel 34 MF  POR André Almeida 35 MF  ARG Enzo Pérez 37 DF  BRA César 96 FW  ANG Dolly Menga — FW  BRA Michel

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player — FW  POR Yannick Djaló (at San Jose Earthquakes until December 2014) — MF  BRA Airton (at Botafogo until 30 June 2015) — FW  ARG Rogelio Funes Mori (at Eskişehirspor until 30 June 2015) — MF  POR André Gomes (at Valencia until 30 June 2015) — MF  SRB Filip Đuričić (at Mainz 05 until 30 June 2015) — FW  ESP Rodrigo (at Valencia until 30 June 2015) — MF  ARG Luis Fariña (at Deportivo La Coruña until 30 June 2015)

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  POR Bernardo Silva (at Monaco until 30 June 2015) — FW  POR Ivan Cavaleiro (at Deportivo until 30 June 2015) — DF  BRA Luís Felipe (at Criciúma until December 2014) — DF  POR João Cancelo (at Valencia until 30 June 2015) — MF  POR Candeias (at Nürnberg until 30 June 2015) — DF  BRA Sidnei (at Deportivo La Coruña until 30 June 2015)

Retired numbers

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

In 2004–05 season, Luís Filipe Vieira said no player will wear the number 29 shirt since the club decided to retire it in memory of Miklós Fehér.^[70]

Personnel

Current technical staff

Management

Finances and ownership

Sport Lisboa e Benfica S.A.D.

Traded as	Euronext: SLBEN
Revenue	€88,306,830 (2012–13)
Operating income	€7,073,913 (2012–13)
Net income	(€10,394,000) (2012–13)
Total assets	€416,671,267 (2012–13)
Total equity	(€23,809,237) (2012–13)

The members of Benfica, called sócios, democratically elect the club's president for a 4-year term by voting in each candidate list, forming the highest governing body of the club. They also participate in the general assemblies, 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.^[25] Benfica was the first Portuguese club to have elections.

Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD (a public limited company)^[71] was created by João Vale e Azevedo on 10 February 2000 with an initial equity of €75 million.^[72][73] There were five major reasons for creating an autonomous entity to manage the professional football team:^[74]

• Participation in professional competitions, both domestic or international.
• Development of football players.
• Exploration of TV rights, both on closed or open channels.
• Management of image rights of the players.
• Exploitation of the Benfica brand by the professional football team.

Benfica SAD entered the PSI-20 on 21 May 2007^[75] 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.^[76] 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 means that 7,999,999 more shares are on the stock market. Benfica valued them at €5 each. They were admitted to the stock market on 14 June 2012.^[74] 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.^[77] 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,^[78] even after the sale of David Luiz to Chelsea.^[79] In 2011–12, SAD posted losses of €11.7 million,^[80] after earning approximately €21 million from the Champions League and selling Fábio Coentrão and Roberto for approximately €38 million.^[81][82][83] 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.^[84] 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.^[85][86]

Media

BTV is a television station managed by Benfica, which airs generalist, regional and club-related programming. This includes live broadcast of the home matches of the football reserve, youth teams and other Benfica sports teams as well as English Premier League, American Major League Soccer and the Greek Superleague. They also air Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The club also issues O Benfica, an weekly magazine and Mística. a bimonthly magazine.

Other sports

Active sections

• Athletics
• Basketball
• Billiards
• Canoeing
• Futsal
• Handball
• Roller hockey
• Rugby union
• Swimming
• Table tennis
• Volleyball

Extinct sections'

• Archery
• Beach soccer
• Cycling

References

Further reading

• Correio da Manhã (2004). Benfica Centenarium 100 nomes 100 histórias (in Portuguese). Portugal: Heska Portuguesa, S.A. (published January 2004). ISBN 972-99026-1-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)

External links

• Official website Template:Pt icon Template:En icon Template:Es icon
• S.L. Benfica at Primeira Liga Template:Pt icon
• S.L. Benfica at UEFA

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