"This is a time for unity and ambition"

SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT

Rui Costa, President of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, attended the celebrations for the 73rd anniversary of Casa Benfica Caldas da Rainha on Wednesday evening, November 26.

"How wonderful it is to be here with you today to celebrate the anniversary of Casa Benfica das Caldas da Rainha and fulfill the promise I made a few weeks ago to return here after my reelection. 73 years of life for one of Club's most historic and emblematic Casas do Benfica. The club's second house, with its own facilities, 61 skating athletes, 49 padel players, and 25 senior gymnasts—what a dynamic house this is! I am proud to ask for a big round of applause for all those who have contributed to this extraordinary journey. Congratulations to all! You deserve our admiration," began President Rui Costa, addressing the Benfica fans.

"There is an idea that I like to reiterate whenever I have the opportunity: nowhere is Benfica spirit felt more than in the Casas do Benfica. I say this because it is fair to say so. I affirm this because, in this noble mission entrusted to me by the members of Benfica, I am a privileged witness to this reality. It is with admiration and enormous gratitude that I recognize the indispensable contribution of our Casas to the growth of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. Their work has a decisive impact in many different areas, from sports to associations, but above all in establishing and expanding Benfica spirit," he emphasized.

"As I have already said, Benfica was born in Lisbon, but it is a club of the world, wherever there are Benfica fans. And there are many of us, incomparably many, and we are everywhere. Just yesterday, we experienced an extraordinary day of support, which began with a few dozen at the Youth League game and culminated with thousands echoing the name of Benfica at the Ajax stadium. Benfica spirit is alive and well, whether in stadiums, at home, or in other aspects of club life. Proof of this, and it cannot be emphasized enough, was the absolutely extraordinary turnout in the last elections and a world record that makes us proud," said Rui Costa.

“We are the biggest club in the world, and we owe a lot to Casas do Benfica. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the fantastic work they have done to make this an extraordinary election that will serve as a benchmark for everyone,” he emphasized. "Your work has been fundamental. Therefore, on this day when we celebrate the 73rd anniversary of this Casa Benfica in Caldas da Rainha, I am honored to announce that the Congress of Casas do Benfica will be held on March 27 and 28 next year," revealed the President. "It will be a moment of great significance and special importance for the future of the Club, and I am sure that we will count on your contribution. I challenge all Benfica Houses to come together, to show up in large numbers, and to express their ambitions. This is the time to think together about the path we want to take, to reinforce the decisive role of the Casas in the life of the Club and to ensure that the Benfica of the future is even greater, more united, and more ambitious than the Benfica of the present," said Rui Costa.

"A final word on the sporting situation. In a year that has not been easy, in which we wanted to be in a different position both in the Championship and in the Champions League, we know that we have the ability and the value to overcome the difficulties and turn things around, achieving the goals that have been set. We have already won a Super Cup and secured our place in the Champions League. But that's not enough, we want much more! We remain ambitious on all fronts and have great faith in our quality," he emphasized.

“We will be uncompromising in the demands we place on ourselves to give our members what they deserve most, but we will be equally demanding of all other stakeholders so that Benfica is respected,” emphasized the President.

“At the start of this term, we have clear challenges ahead of us: launching the Benfica District, reaching €500 million in revenue, and securing a renewal of television rights that will maintain our position as a benchmark in Portuguese football and on the international scene,” explained the President.

“Now more than ever, this is a time for unity and ambition. I am counting on everyone's support. You can always count on my determination and passion for this club. Long live Casa Benfica das Caldas da Rainha! Long live Casas do Benfica! Long live our greatest love, our Sport Lisboa e Benfica!” concluded Rui Costa.