Rui Costa is an unmissable name in the history of Benfica. Born in Amadora (where he was born on March 29, 1972), he arrived in Luz as a boy, where he became a world-class footballer. In addition to being a football player, he was vice-president, administrator of SAD, football sporting director and president. On October 9, 2021, the lawn maestro made history by being elected president, now running for a second term.
“I’m very proud to be a Benfica fan”, he said, before leaving a “barb” to his rival and only one. “I heard that 58% don’t believe me, but I can also say that there are 70% who don’t believe in the other side [Noronha Lopes ]. I count on the support of all Benfica supporters, I am not counting on the other candidates. I just want to show who I am and what I want to do”, reacted the winner of the first round.
João Noronha Lopes was not satisfied with the vote, “he expected a higher result” than the 30% he received and guarantees that he will now seek to “aggregate people who do not see themselves in the direction the club is taking” and that they are in the order of 60%. “You don’t give up on Benfica and I don’t give up on Benfica. My energy, conviction and determination are the same as those I had in June when I presented my candidacy”, said the list F candidate, ensuring that he did not speak to Luís Filipe Vieira or Diogo Manteigas about a union or to ask for support, but he hopes to have the support and vote of everyone who does not see themselves in Rui Costa’s project.
He who in 2020 appeared to challenge Vieira, having gathered 34.7% of the votes, this year, “the love” for the club and the conviction that Benfica “cannot live another four years in this state” made him advance again to an electoral race and gather 30.26% of the votes. “In this 2nd round, a new election begins. We are two candidates and I think this will allow for a deeper discussion, with less noise, where we can compare ideas but also, the people who are part of the lists, can have time to implement them. And for members to vote more conscientiously”, said the Benfica fan from Évora, born on Portugal Day (June 10, 1966).
Massive and historic vote
Despite the rain that was felt in Lisbon throughout the day on Saturday, the Benfica elections were blessed by a massive vote, which soon led to the prediction of breaking the record number of voters in the 2021 elections (40,085) and even a global maximum.
It was a few minutes after 4pm when José Pereira da Costa, president of the Board of the General Assembly (MAG) announced that the world record for in-person voting in club elections had been broken, which was held by Barcelona (57,088, in 2010). The most popular electoral event in Benfica’s 121 years, with six presidential candidates, ended with 85,710 voters.
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isaura.almeida@dn.pt