Benfica turn to Jupiler Pro Leauge for striker

Benfica is ramping up its efforts to bolster its attacking options, with reports indicating that the Portuguese giants are in advanced talks with Union St. Gilloise to sign Croatian striker Franjo Ivanovic.

The 21-year-old forward is being eyed as the ideal backup for Benfica’s striker, Vangelis Pavlidis, following the imminent departures of Arthur Cabral, Andrea Belotti and Casper Tengstedt. According to multiple sources, including SportTV and Maisfutebol, Benfica is prepared to offer around €20 million for Ivanovic, though Union St. Gilloise is holding firm for a fee closer to €25-€30 million.

The €25-€30 million wanted by Gilloise is a significant jump from the €4 million that they paid to HNK Rijeka last summer for the players acquisition. Ivanovic had a breakout 2024-25 season with Union St. Gilloise, playing a pivotal role in their first Belgian league title in 90 years. The young striker scored an impressive 20 goals and provided 5 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions.

His physical presence, clinical finishing and ability to contribute in big moments, evidenced by his two goals for the Croatian national team in just four caps to date, have also attracted interest from various clubs. 

As Benfica looks to maintain its competitive edge in the Primeira Liga and European competitions, Ivanovic’s versatility and goal-scoring prowess make him a strong candidate to complement Pavlidis. As the two clubs proceed with negotiations fans are eager to see if Rui Costa can finalize the deal for the promising Croatian talent in the coming days. 

Benfica find out Champions League qualifying opponents

Benfica have learned their fate if they are to qualify for this upcoming seasons edition of the Champions League when they where drawn against French side Nice, earlier today in the 3rd qualifying round set to take place next month.

Benfica will travel to France to take on Nice on August 5, 2025, with the return leg at the Estadio da Luz, which will take place on August 12, 2025. The winner of the contest will advance to the playoff where they will face one of Fenerbahce, Feyenoord, Panathinaikos, Rangers, Servette or Viktoria Plzen, for a place in the League Phase of the competition. 

 

Luis Filipe Vieira looks at Benfica Presidency once again

Luis Filipe Vieira looks to make a comeback bid to become Benfica's club President once again when elections happen on October 25, 2025, replacing the man who replaced him in current club President Rui Costa.

The world of football is no stranger to drama and one of Portugal's most storied clubs, is once again at the center of a gripping narrative as the club's former President from 2003 to 2021 has announced his intention to run for Presidency after departing the club due to legal trouble.

This narrative has sparked debate between the club's passionate fanbase, with opinions split between nostalgia for his bygone era to skepticism about his return to the club.

Luis Filipe Vieira's tenure as the club's President was nothing short of transformative, taking over in 2003, he inherited a club grappling with financial turmoil and a lack of competitive success. Over his 18 year reign, the longest in Benfica history, Vieira over saw a remarkable turnaround.

Under his leadership, Benfica captured seven league titles, multiple domestic cups and re-established themselves as a force on the European stage, reaching two Europa League Finals. His focus on modernizing the club's infrastructure, training facilities and broadcasting home games on Benfica TV, helped restore financial stability and global prestige.

However, Vieira's presidency was not without controversy. His 2021 resignation came amid the "Cartao Vermelho" investigation, which alleged fraud, money laundering and tax evasion involving deals. Vieira was placed under house arrest, while he maintained his innocence.

The lack of formal convictions has emboldened him to re-enter the spotlight, arguing that the justice system's failure to act, clears the path for his return to the club once again. 

Vieira's decision to run again, announced this month, has sent shockwaves through the Benfica community, sources close to the former president confirm that he has been actively rallying support from key figures and club members, with his pre-campaign already in motion. 

His platforms appear to center around restoring Benfica's dominance once again through his proven track record in charge of the club and attributing the club's current sporting and financial crisis to current president Rui Costa.

Vieira has stated that a victory by him will see him move to replace current manager Bruno Lage with ex-Porto manager Sergio Conceicao but his 2021 exit does have some fans and members wary of revisiting the controversies of his era and his reliance on specific agents when making transfer dealings, known as "Vieirismo".

This election does have the fan base deeply divided. Older supporters, who recall the club's struggles before Vieira's tenure, view him as a saviour who restored Benfica's pride. While younger fans, associate him with scandals and wonder if his return would hinder progress.

The 2025 election is shaping up to be a fierce contest, as along side Vieira and Costa, other candidates include Joao Noronha Lopes,  Joao Diogo Manteigas, Cristovao Carvalho and Martim Mayer.  Lopes is the more serious candidate of the four, receiving 34.71% of the votes cast during the last election. 

An expected record turnout of members on October 25 will decide if the club is to return to the old guard, maintain the status quo, or move into a fresh start. This result will be a defining moment for the club over the next four years.