This blog takes a look into Benfica's history of player appearances in all competitions, the Top 40 players of all time in Benfica's over 100 years of history are below.
- Nene (1968-1986) Total Appearances: 575
- Antonio Veloso (1980-1995) Total Appearances: 538
- Luisao (2003-2018) Total Appearances: 538
- Mario Coluna (1954-1970) Total Appearances: 525
- Humberto Coelho (1968-1975) (1977-1984) Total Appearances: 498
- Sheu (1972-1989) Total Appearances: 487
- Manuel Bento (1972-1990) Total Appearances: 465
- Antonio Simoes (1961-1975) Total Appearances: 447
- Eusebio (1960-1975) Total Appearances: 440
- Cavem (1954-1970) Total Appearances: 416
- Francisco Ferreira (1938-1952) Total Appearances: 398
- Nuno Gomes (1997-2000) (2002-2011) Total Appearances: 398
- Toni (1968-1981) Total Appearances: 392
- Bastos Lopes (1972-1987) Total Appearances: 391
- Jose Aguias (1950-1963) Total Appearances: 383
- Jose Augusto (1959-1970) Total Appearances: 369
- Alberto Pereira (1954-1967) Total Appearances: 359
- Fernando Cruz (1959-1970) Total Appearances: 344
- Francisco Albino (1932-1945) Total Appearances: 343
- Maxi Pereira (2007-2015) Total Appearances: 333
- Rodrigo Pipi (1942-1954) Total Appearances: 320
- Gaspar Pinto (1934-1946) Total Appearances: 318
- Carlos Manuel (1979-1988) Total Appearances: 318
- Minervino Pietra (1976-1986) Total Appearances: 313
- Fernando Chalana (1975-1984) (1987-1990) Total Appearances: 310
- Diamantino Miranda (1978-1980) (1982-1990) Total Appearances: 302
- Joao Pinto (1992-2000) Total Appearances: 302
- Arsenio Duarte (1943-1955) Total Appearances: 299
- Jose Henrique (1966-1979) Total Appearances: 299
- Oscar Cardozo (2007-2014) Total Appearances: 293
- Vitor Paneira (1988-1995) Total Appearances: 288
- Angelo Martins (1952-1965) Total Appearances: 285
- Artur Santos (1950-1961) Total Appearances: 284
- Francisco Moreira (1944-1954) Total Appearances: 266
- Eduardo Salvio (2010-2011) (2012-2018) Total Appearances: 266
- Antonio Martins (1938-1947) Total Appearances: 265
- Alfredo Valadas (1934-1944) Total Appearances: 264
- Silvino Louro (1986-1994) Total Appearances: 263
- Alvaro Magalhaes (1981-1990) Total Appearances: 261
- Jose Torres (1959-1971) Total Appearances: 259
Benfica continue their search for a keeper and have now turned their attention to Sevilla netminder Sergio Rico. Rico spent last season on loan in the Premier League with Fulham appearing in 29 league games and posting five clean sheets on the second worst team in the English league. The 25 year old Rico has come through Sevilla's youth ranks and appeared in one game for the Spanish national side. Benfica have been looking to sign a goaltender all summer to battle with current number one Vladchodimos and were a failed physical away from acquiring Juventus' Mattia Perin Benfica have also been recently linked to Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet and Robin Olsen from Roma.
The Portuguese league's first week schedule was released on Tuesday and Benfica's opening game time and date is now set. Benfica will open their Portuguese league season on August 10 at 9:30pm WEST at the Estadio da Luz against newly promoted Pacos Ferreira. Benfica will be looking to defend and win their league leading 38th championship this season as Bruno Lage looks to complete his first full season as the clubs manager.
