Benfica

Benfica was formed in 1904 when a group of Portuguese football players wanted to start their own football club with only Portuguese players. They named their new club Sport Lisboa, and things were off to a rocky start when in 1907 several of their players left to join Sporting CP due to poor facilities and game pitches.

In 1908 Sport Lisboa acquired Grupo Sport Benfica, and changed their name to Sport Lisboa e Benfica. This merger however did not change any of the operating activities of either club, but strengthened the financial situation of both clubs. From 1913 to 1940, Benfica moved around to several home grounds before settling at the Estádio do Campo Grande.

The Portuguese Primeira Liga was founded in 1934, and Benfica would go on to finish 3rd in the first season, then would win the league the next three years in a row. This started a great period of success for the club as they won another 3 league titles in a row from 1942-1945 and won 4 Taça de Portugal during the 1940s.

The 1950s were another great decade for the club as they won their first international trophy in 1950 when they secured the Latin Cup, making them the first Portuguese team to win a European competition. They also moved into a new stadium in 1954, the Estádio da Luz and won another 3 league titles and six Taça de Portugal.

Benfica broke through in the European scene in the 1960s. They won the UEFA European Cup (precursor to the Champions League) over Barcelona in 1961, then repeated their victory the very next year when they defeated another Spanish club, Real Madrid, in the 1962 final. They reached another 3 European Cup finals during the 60s, but failed to win in any of them. Because of their domestic success (8 league titles and 2 Taça de Portugal) as well as their European success (two European Cups) during the 1960s, they were widely regarded as the best club in Europe for several years. Their success can also be attributed to their star player Eusébio, who won the 1965 Ballon d’Or, and remains the only player to win the Ballon d’Or for a Portuguese club.

Benfica continued their domestic dominance during the 1970s, where they won another six league titles and two Taça de Portugal. This culminated during the 1972-73 season when Benfica won the league with an undefeated record of 28 wins (23 of which were in a row) and 2 draws. They also became the first Portuguese club to allow foreign players to play in 1979.

Benfica became the first Portuguese club to win a domestic treble in 1981 to begin another decade of success for the club. They also expanded their stadium in 1985, making it the largest stadium in Europe and the third largest stadium in the world at the time. Unfortunately, this period also led to financial struggles for the club. After spending so much on the signing of a number of new players and upgrades to the stadium, the club went through some very tough times financially. This was also reflected on the field during the 1990s when they had their worst league finish, worst Champions League defeat, and failed to qualify for the European competitions for the first time in over 40 years.

Since then, Benfica have returned to their winning ways and have won a number of domestic competitions. Benfica continue to be a top force in Portuguese football, but look to repeat their success of the 1960s in European competitions.

2022–23 SEASON: Champions of the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal quarterfinal

2023–24 SEASON: Portuguese Primeira Liga, UEFA Champions League/Europa League

As part of the Portuguese “Big 3”, Benfica’s main rivals are the other two clubs of the Big 3, Sporting Lisbon and Porto. None of them have been relegated from the Portuguese top flight, and only two seasons have had Portuguese champions outside of these three clubs.

Benfica and Sporting Lisbon share an especially intense rivalry as they are both located in Lisbon. As previously mentioned, this rivalry began over 100 years ago in 1907 when several Benfica players left to join Sporting Lisbon. Games between the two are known as the “dérbi de Lisboa”.

Benfica also shares a rivalry with FC Porto. As Lisbon and Porto are the largest Portuguese cities, and the two clubs are the most successful in the country, so this rivalry is another great game to keep an eye out for on the schedule. Games between the two are known as “O Clássico.”

Here is the BBC on the Lisbon derby:

Benfica does have a women’s team which was founded in 2017. They reached the top flight in 2019, and since then they have won every league title which they have competed for. They have also gone on to win several domestic cups. They play their home games at Estádio Municipal José Martins Vieira in Almada, although they do occasionally play at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.

Here are the fans doing the club anthem.

During the first part of the club’s history, Benfica mainly played on rented fields and did not have a permanent home until 1925 where they moved into the Estádio das Amoreiras. They played there until 1940 and in 1954 they moved into the famous Estádio da Luz, which, after renovations, was the biggest stadium in Europe and one of the biggest in the world. They played here until 2002 when it was demolished and replaced by the new Estádio da Luz. The new stadium has hosted several competitions including the UEFA Euros, and the Champions League Final.

TOURS: Tours cost 17.50 Euro, include the club museum, and can be booked on the club’s website.

GETTING THERE: The stadium is about five miles north of the city’s center, but it’s served well by the subway system. The closest station is Colégio Militar / Luz, which is a short walk from the stadium.

PUBS: There really is nothing out by the stadium; if you want a pint or two before the game, do that in the center.

GRUB: Along the walk from the station, you will pass a cluster of  food trucks that will be mobbed with people. Otherwise, as with bars, the best options are in town. The food in the stadium is pretty standard fare.

AROUND TOWN: We won’t attempt a city guide here, other than to say that the old town is amazing, and a ride on the historic streetcars is a must. Just make sure you hop off at Largo Portas do Sol for the view of the city while you have a coffee and one of the country’s famous custard tarts, and Pasteis de nata.