Talent and dedication at the end of the Benfica HP League

BTV REPORT

On Tuesday, May 6, Benfica Campus hosted the final of another edition of the Benfica HP League, a competition organized by Sport Lisboa e Benfica that brought together teams of young players from the Under-9, Under-11 and Under-13 age groups, in a total of 13 groups. Each group was named after a player who graduated from the Club, as a tribute to the Made in Benfica athletes.

In the Under-13 age group, the teams of Florentino Luís, João Rego, António Silva and Renato Sanches competed, the latter being the winner. In the Under-11 age group, the teams of Diogo Prioste, Francisco Domingues (winner), Tomás Araújo and André Gomes took part. In the Under-9s, the teams of João Veloso, Ivan Lima, Rafael Luís (winner), Diogo Spencer and João Fonseca competed.

Pedro Torrado, technical coordinator for the Under-11 and Under-13 age groups, explained the philosophy behind the competition.

"In the Benfica League, teams compete in four periods, and victory in each of them is worth a point. This helps keep you focused and motivated throughout the game, even if one team is already winning by many goals," he told BTV.

Speaking about the impact of the competition, João Veloso, a midfielder in Benfica's B team, shared his experience of seeing his name associated with a young team.

"Having a team with my name on it means a lot to me, it's a sign that the club remembers me too. For the boys, the most important thing is to enjoy it and make the most of it. Never stop dreaming," he said.

On the other hand, Ivan Lima, also a B team player, looked back on his first steps at Benfica and the importance of the competition in his development.

"My advice to these youngsters is to work hard every day and always believe that the opportunity will come," the forward shared enthusiastically.

Francisco Domingues, defender and captain of the B team, also expressed his pride in the team that bears his name.

"I remember perfectly when I played in the Benfica League. Now, seeing the team that bears my name win is a source of great pride. My advice is to enjoy every moment and do what you love," he stressed.

Diogo Ferreira, goalkeeper for the B team, stressed the importance of perseverance to achieve great things.

"I dreamed of being a footballer, of making a living from football, and now I'm working towards that goal. Perseverance and hard work are key to getting to the top," he said.

The Benfica HP League was thus more than just a football competition, it was a real stage for development, where young athletes had the opportunity to show their talent and be inspired by the examples of the Club's great idols.

With an exciting finale and a competitive spirit that reflects the Benfica mystique, the Benfica HP League continues to be an important milestone in the development of new talent for the Club's future.