Benfica Best Player Of All Time | American Football Info

In the last six decades, Benfica has not won any major European trophy, but the club remains the most decorated Portuguese club and one of the best.

And somehow, this is happening because the club is ambitious, and in their history, top players have played and won trophies in Portugal and Europe.

Well, a lot of players’ names have been written in Benfica’s history, but not all of them are considered to be near one of their best players of all time.

Moreover, this guide will be walking you through Benfica’s best player of all time, so let us quickly proceed without further ado –

Benfica Best Players Of All Time

1. Eusebio

Eusebio da Silva Ferreira is arguably the best Benfica player of all time.

Eusébio was born on 25 January, 81 years ago as a Portuguese. He played as a striker for Benfica from 1961 to 1975 and died on 5th January 2014.

Well, I would not want to agree less than Eusebio when it comes to the best Benfica legend. Eusebio was considered and known as the Black Panther because he is the most recognized and outstanding Benfica player of all time.

With his speed, phobia shots, technique, and creativity, he famed himself as the best player to grace the pitch for Benfica.

His footwork consistency saw him score 727 goals in 715 during his days at Benfica and holds the record for most goals in the club’s history and helped them win 17 titles.

Moreover, it would not have ended well enough if Eusebio played all that we have heard and could not win the Ballon d’Or, and of course, he won it in 1965.

2. Nuno Gomes

Nuno Gomes is arguably the second-best Benfica player of all time.

Gomes was born on 5th July 1976, more than 45 years ago as a Portuguese. He played as a striker for Benfica from 1997 to 2000 and from 2002 to 2011.

Just as I expressed earlier, Nuno Gomes is one of the best players Benfica has ever had to have established two tenures at the club.

At 18 years old, Nuno Gomes joined Benfica after an established reputation he had at his youth club Boavista.

Unlike Eusébio, Nuno Gomes registered 401 appearances with Benfica and scored 166 goals, won two titles, and claimed the fourth-highest goal scorer in the Portuguese national team history.

Even after he was arranging to leave Benfica at the end of his last tenure, he was offered a coaching role, and this is to show how impactful the player was, but then he declined the appointment believing he could still play.

3. Rui Costa

Rui Manuel César Costa is one of the best Benfica players of all time.

Costa was born on 29th March 1979, more than 50 years ago as a Portuguese. He played as an attacking midfielder for Benfica from 1990 to 2000, from 2006 to 2008 as a player, and from 2021 to date as the President.

Rui Costa is currently the President of Benfica having played for years at the club as an attacking midfielder.

Rui had an early career start and development with the club which was at the age of 5. His skills were top-notch, and with them, he helped the club win two titles and earn a spot in the list of Benfica’s best players of all time.

4. Mário Coluna

Mário Esteves Coluna is one of the best Benfica players of all time.

Mario Coluna was born on 6th August 1935, more than 75 years ago as a Mozambique citizen before he passed out. He played as a midfielder for Benfica from 1954 to 1970.

With his achievements with The Eagles and because of where he was from, Mario Coluna was regarded as a “Sacred Monster” one of the best midfielders of his generation and one of Benfica’s best players of all time.

Having played for 17 seasons at Benfica, he won 12 titles, including 10 Primeira Liga championships and 2 European titles.

5. Luisão

Ânderson Luis da Silva is one of the best Benfica players of all time. Luisão was born on 13th February 1981, more than 40 years ago as a Brazilian. He played as a Centre-back for Benfica from 2003 to 2018.

Luisão was so committed and loyal to Benfica that he established himself as one of their legends.

The Brazilian player joined Benfica in 2003 when was 22 years old and stayed in the club for 15 years, making 538 appearances in all competitions for the club. He is also the player with the most titles won for Benfica and the longest-serving captain for the Portuguese club.

6. Angel Di Maria

Angel Di Maria is one of the best Benfica players of all time. Di Maria was born on 14th February 1988, 35 years ago as an Argentine. He played as a winger for Benfica from 2007 to 2010.

Almost all of the teams would want Angel Di Maria to grace their pitch. Despite leaving the club after a few years, rumors are not aiming towards his return to his legendary club.

Angel Di Maria joined Benfica when he was 19 years old and made 70 appearances for the club. With his top-notch skills, he quickly attracted top clubs in Europe, including, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, PSG, and others.

7. Nemanja Matic

Nemanja Matic is one of the best Benfica players of all time. Matic was born on 1st August 1988, 35 years ago as a Serbian. He played as a Defensive midfielder for Benfica from 2011 to 2014.

Despite Nemanja Matic not playing for many years at Benfica, he is still considered one of their best players of all time. The Serbian International was signed to Chelsea from Benfica as part of the deal with David Luiz.

8. Victor Lindelof

Victor Jörgen Nilsson Lindelöf is one of the best Benfica players of all time. Victor Lindelof was born on 17th July 1994, more than 27 years ago as a Sweden citizen. He played as a Defensive midfielder and Centre-back for Benfica from 2011 to 2017.

Victor Lindelof, commonly known as the Iceman in Lisbon, joined Benfica Youth at 17 years old in 2011. His career aspired into a developed one as he won three Portuguese league titles; two Taca De Portugal titles and one Taca De Liga title.

Having played with confidence, he attracted Manchester United into signing him, and he is currently one of the best at the English club.

9. David Luiz

David Luiz Moreira Marinho is one of the best Benfica players of all time. David Luiz was born on 22nd April 1987, more than 35 years ago as a Brazilian. He played as a Defensive midfielder for Benfica from 2007 to 2011.

David Luiz made his Benfica debut when he was 19 years old and became the club’s most-valued player after two seasons, making 130 appearances for the club in all competitions.

His greatest achievement was helping the club win the Primeira Liga after a five-year drought. In his prime, he was one of the best defensive midfielders and could also play as a Centre-back. After 10 years of departing from the club, his coming back to the club was still considered.

10. Jose Augusto

José Augusto Pinto de Almeida is one of the best Benfica players of all time. Jose Augusto was born on 13th April 1937, more than 85 years ago as a Portuguese. He played as a winger for Benfica from 1959 to 1969 as a player and from 1970 to 1971 as a coach.

Augusto was part of Benfica’s golden era, where he registered 369 appearances and scored 174 goals for the club, including 24 in the UEFA Champions League campaign, and afterward emerged as the club’s second-highest goal scorer.

During the 10 years that he spent in the club, he won 13 major titles, including 8 Portuguese League championships and 2 European titles.

Conclusion

There are a lot of players that have made Benfica’s history aside from the listed 10 in this article. Well, quite a few of Benfica’s best players of all time that are not listed above are Axel Witsel, Michel Preud’Homme, Manuel Bento, Domiciano Cavem, and Artur Correia.

So, having known some of the best Benfica players of all time, I would like you to comment on which one of them is your best.