1996–97 S.L. Benfica season

January 2015 Benfica 1996–97 President Manuel Damásio Head coach Paulo Autuori(until 19 January 1997)Mário Wilson(interim until 26 January 1997)Manuel José Estádio da Luz Primeira Divisão 3rd Taça de Portugal Runners-up Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira Runners-up UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Quarter-finals Donizete (7) João Pinto (16) 75,000 v Porto(11 January 1997) 3,000 v Leça(18 May 1997) 4 goal difference in 4 matches Benfica 0–5 Porto(18 September 1996) _Benfica9697h _Benfica9697h _Benfica9697h FFFFFF DD0000 _collarred 2 FFFFFF FF0000 FFFFFF 1995–96 1997–98 The 1996–97 European football season was the 93rd season of Sport Lisboa e Benfica's existence and the club's 63rd consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football. The season ran from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997; Benfica competed domestically in the Primeira Divisão and the Taça de Portugal. The club also participated in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup as a result of winning the previous Taça de Portugal. To manage the team in the new season, Benfica appointed Paulo Autuori. The Brazilian had just won the Brasileirão with Botafogo and was working in the background with the club since January 1996. He signed Jamir and Donizete from Botafogo, plus others like Jorge Bermúdez or Ronaldo Guiaro. Major departures included Ricardo Gomes, Paulo Bento and Daniel Kenedy. The season started with different outcomes in the different competitions. While in the Primeira Divisão, Benfica reached the first place by September; in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, the panorama was the opposite, with Benfica conceding a five-nil home loss with FC Porto. Until January, Autuori led the team through the first and second round of the Cup Winner's Cup, and battled with Sporting over the second place. In January, the league campaign took a turn for the worse, Benfica lost twice in a row and Autuori was sacked. Mário Wilson was interim in one game (another loss); before the permanent appointment of Manuel José. With José, Benfica performance in the Primeira Divisão became much more irregular. Consecutive wins and consecutive losses were followed by intercalating wins and draws. In May and June Benfica, lost four times in five match-days, and hit new record lows, both in number of losses and points to league winner. In the domestic cup, José led them to their second final in a row, but lost it to Boavista. Season summary In the wake of a Cup-winning campaign, Benfica opened the new season by appointing a new manager, Paulo Autuori, who had been working with the club for past six months.100 anos: Paulo Autuori http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/100-anos-paulo-autuori.html 18 February 2016 Record 26 May 2003 Portuguese 14 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160414114701/http://www.record.xl.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/100-anos-paulo-autuori.html dead The Brazilian manager had just finished the 1995 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, where he led Botafogo to their second league title in history. From his former club, he brought in Jamir and Donizete, plus directly recommended the purchase of Bermúdez.Tovar 2012 548 The season began with the first leg of the 1996 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira against FC Porto, bringing a one-goal deficit back.Tovar 2012 554 A week later; on the opening game of the Primeira Liga, Benfica drops two points against S.C. Braga in a home draw.Tovar 2012 549 Still, with two convincing wins in early September, Benfica reached top of the table, together with four other teams. With the second leg of the Supercup next, Benfica received Porto on 18 September. However, the contend quickly became an unbalanced one, with Porto scoring five goals to none, as Preud'Homme prevented an even darker outcomeSupertaça: "Marquei ao grande PreudHomme", recorda Arnold Wetl Supercup: "I scored to the great PreudHomme" remembers Arnold Wetl http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/fcporto/wetl-maisfutebol-benfica-porto-fc-porto-supertaca/1182492-1304.html 18 February 2016 Mais Futebol 4 August 2010 Portuguese 16 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160816100619/http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/fcporto/wetl-maisfutebol-benfica-porto-fc-porto-supertaca/1182492-1304.html deadTovar 2012 548 The team was not disturbed by this defeat, and continued racking up consecutive league wins, even achieving a two-point lead over the second place; while the results in Europe were looking accordingly.Tovar 2012 549 27% right "It is the first year of the longest title drought ever. Three managers pass through the bench to use 34 players and put Benfica in an unpleasant third place, with ten losses and at 27 points from the first (both club records). It starts badly with Paulo Autuori, and the loss of the Supercup, were the fans witness a consistent performance from Porto. The grief increased in January, with three straight losses, which did not happen in 40 years – Lusitano de Èvora, Belenenses and Sporting in October/November of 1957. Autuori is sacked and succeeded by Mário Wilson. A game later, Wilson relinquishes his place in favour of Manuel José, who succeeds in taking the team to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup Winners Cup and to the Portuguese Cup final. In between, new embarrassment caused by three straight losses, curiously enough, caused by the same teams of the previous series." — Rui Miguel Tovar on the season eventsTovar 2012 548 In late October, Benfica visited Sporting for the Lisbon derby, losing one-nil and dropping down one position. A week later, with a further two more points dropped, Porto opened a three-point gap at the front.Tovar 2012 550 By the time the Clássico arrived, the distance was already five points. Losing 1–2 to Porto, increased it to eight.Tovar 2012 550 Affected by the defeat, Benfica lost for a second time on a row, with the priority changing from battling Porto in the title race, to defending the second place from Sporting. Autuori was sacked immediately, and Mário Wilson was appointed interim for one game.Tovar 2012 548Mário Wilson http://gloriasdopassado.blogspot.pt/2008/10/mrio-wilson.html Glórias do Passado 30 October 2008 Portuguese The move did not have any effect on the team sharpness, as Benfica lost for a third in a row for the first time since 1957–58.Tovar 2012 548 The club lapped the first round of the league already one point behind their cross-town rivals Sporting, and fourteen from Porto. Manuel José was chosen was new manager on 26 January. The 50-year-old had managed Sporting and Boavista before with mild success, and was tasked with saving the season. José's first game was a difficult visit to Braga; Benfica equalized one-nil and brought a point home, but lost two for Sporting.Tovar 2012 551 With the league race resolved, Benfica focused on the Portuguese Cup, progressing to the sixth round after defeating C.S. Marítimo.Tovar 2012 553 March was a particularly difficult month, as the team dropped eight points in just three match-days, being in danger of losing third place fourth place.Tovar 2012 551 In the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Benfica ended its European campaign, after not being able to revert a 2–0 home loss against Rui Costa's Fiorentina, despite a marginal win in Florence.Tovar 2012 554 In April, the team gained some distance to the fourth place, S.C. Salgueiros, allowing them to focus on the Portuguese Cup.Tovar 2012 552 With the advantage of receiving smaller teams at home in the knock-out stages, Benfica progressed to the semi-finals after beating Dragões Sandinenses in the quarter-final, meeting Porto next. On the last day of April, the club defeated Porto by two-nil with goals from Valdir and Edgar Pacheco, reaching a second consecutive Portuguese Cup final, where they enter as title-holders.Tovar 2012 553 On the league campaign, Benfica track record on the final six league match-days, was four losses, a win and a draw, losing fifteen more points, ending the season a record-breaking twenty-seven points from Porto, fourteen from Sporting.Tovar 2012 548 On 10 June, in the 1997 Taça de Portugal final, Benfica was surprised by Boavista, with a two-nil at the half-hour, they could not recover, giving Boavista their fifth national cup.Tovar 2012 553 Competitions #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFCCCC Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #CCCCCC Postponed 1px solid #AAAAAA Overall record Competition First match Last match RecordGWDLGFGAGDWin %Source Primeira Divisão 25 August 1996 15 June 1997 34 17 7 10 49 30 yes Tovar 2012 555 Taça de Portugal 8 December 1996 10 June 1997 6 5 0 1 17 8 yes Tovar 2012 555 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 12 September 1996 20 March 1997 6 4 1 1 10 5 yes Tovar 2012 555 Supertaça 18 August 1996 18 September 1996 2 0 0 2 0 6 yes Tovar 2012 555 Total 48 26 8 14 76 49 yes Supertaça 1996 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira First leg 18 August 1996 20:30 Porto 1–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1996154500201011 Benfica Domingos 42 Porto Estádio das Antas Lucílio Baptista L Second leg 18 September 1996 20:00 Benfica 0–5 0–6 April 2026 Porto Edmilson 3 Artur 43 Jorge Costa 46 Wetl 56 Drulovic 85 Lisbon Estádio da Luz António Rola L Primeira Divisão 1996–97 Primeira Divisão League table BEN Results by round table b Round Ground H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A Result D/W/W/W/W/W/W/L/D/W/W/W/D/W/L/L/L/D/W/W/W/L/L/D/W/D/W/W/D/L/W/L/L/L Position 12/3/1/1/1/1/1/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3 Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss 1st 2nd 3rd red1 ForaDeJogo Matches 1 25 August 1996 19:30 Benfica 1–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010101 Braga Hélder 82 pen. 84 Idalécio2 35 55 Rodrigão Lisbon Estádio da Luz 40,000 José Rufino D 2 7 September 1996 20:00 Gil Vicente 0–3 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010202 Benfica Hélder 28 Donizete 73 79 2 71 89 Póvoa de Varzim Estádio do Varzim 25,000 Paulo Paraty W 3 15 September 1996 19:30 Benfica 5–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010302 Vitória Setúbal Bruno Caires 28 João Pinto 39 Hassan 49 Panduru 83 Luís Gustavo 85 Paulo Ribeiro 82 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 25,000 José Leirós W 4 22 September 1996 20:30 União de Leiria 0–2 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010403 Benfica Panduru 74 Donizete 87 Leiria Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa 15,000 Paulo Costa W 5 30 September 1996 19:30 Benfica 3–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010503 Desp. Chaves Valdo 16 Hélder 86 Donizete 89 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 30,000 Soares Dias W 6 13 October 1996 21:15 Salgueiros 0–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010604 Benfica Donizete 23 Porto Estádio Prof. Dr. José Vieira de Carvalho 12,000 Monteiro da Silva W 7 21 October 1996 18:15 Benfica 2–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010704 Estrela da Amadora João Pinto 2 Donizete 77 Jordão 2 37 57 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 15,000 António Costa W 8 26 October 1996 21:30 Sporting 1–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010805 Benfica Beto 51 Jamir 2 34 62 Tahar El Khalej 2 42 81 Lisbon Estádio de Alvalade 25,000 Vitor Pereira L 9 4 November 1996 20:45 Benfica 1–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400010905 Boavista Iliev 30 João Pinto 0 80 Hélder 2 36 54 Jimmy Hasselbaink 85 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 25,000 Isidoro Rodrigues D 10 16 November 1996 17:00 Espinho 0–3 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011006 Benfica Iliev 10 Valdo 85 Luís Gustavo 89 Porto Estádio Prof. Dr. José Vieira de Carvalho 4,000 Augusto Duarte W 11 24 November 1996 20:00 Benfica 2–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011106 Farense Valdo 44 pen. Iliev 50 Hélder Cristóvão 2 44 83 Dos Santos 60 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 20,000 Paulo Paraty W 12 30 November 1996 20:15 Rio Ave 0–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011207 Benfica Bermúdez 24 Pedro Henriques 2 58 72 Vila do Conde Estádio do Rio Ave FC 10,000 Martins dos Santos W 13 22 December 1996 21:15 Benfica 0–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011307 Maritimo Lisbon Estádio da Luz 15,000 Luís Miranda D 14 3 January 1997 19:00 Leça 1–5 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011408 Benfica Zé da Rocha 90 Donizete 5 João Pinto 13 Martin Pringle 35 56 Pedro Henriques 48 Leça da Palmeira Estádio do Leça FC 5,000 José Pratas W 15 11 January 1997 20:00 Benfica 1–2 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011508 Porto João Pinto 50 Mário Jardel 24 Jorge Costa 57 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 75,000 Lucílio Baptista L 16 19 January 1997 19:00 Vitória Guimarães 1–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011609 Benfica Quim Berto 9 pen. João Pinto 2 23 68 Guimarães Estádio D. Afonso Henriques 20,000 Bento Marques L 17 25 January 1997 19:00 Benfica 1–2 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011709 Belenenses Bruno Caires 49 Paulo Fonseca 6 Bermúdez 30 o.g. Lisbon Estádio da Luz 5,000 Paulo Paraty L 18 1 February 1997 20:30 Braga 1–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011801 Benfica Zé Nuno Azevedo 39 Mozer 2 29 73 Glenn Helder 28 Braga Estádio 1º de Maio 10,000 Paulo Costa D 19 8 February 1997 19:00 Benfica 1–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400011902 Gil Vicente Martin Pringle 80 Carlitos 2 70 72 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 10,000 Soares Dias W 20 15 February 1997 20:30 Vitória de Setúbal 0–2 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012002 Benfica Jamir 17 Edgar Pacheco 74 Porto Estádio das Antas 15,000 Augusto Duarte W 21 23 February 1997 20:30 Benfica 1–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012103 União de Leiria Edgar Pacheco 60 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 15,000 Paulo Baptista W 22 1 March 1997 21:15 Desp. Chaves 3–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012203 Benfica Miner 24 Dani Diaz 55 Milinković 84 Jorge Soares 48 Chaves Estádio Municipal de Chaves 6,000 Paulo Paraty L 23 16 March 1997 19:00 Benfica 3–4 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199815400011209 Salgueiros Edgar 14 Tahar 63 João Pinto 82 Abílio 36 Nandinho 62 Marcos Severo 89 90 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 15,000 Francisco Ferreira L 24 24 March 1997 20:00 Estrela da Amadora 1–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012404 Benfica Gaúcho 39 João Pinto 89 Lisbon Estádio da Reboleira 6,000 Paulo Costa D 25 4 April 1997 20:00 Benfica 1–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012505 Sporting João Pinto 15 Pedro Barbosa 0 74 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 25,000 Pinto Correia W 26 12 April 1997 20:00 Boavista 1–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012605 Benfica Jimmy Hasselbaink 5 Valdir 89 Porto Estádio do Bessa 8,000 José Leirós D 27 20 April 1997 20:30 Benfica 2–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012706 Espinho Valdir 13 Valdo 64 pen. Carvalhal 2 8 56 Lino 0 63 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 15,000 José Pratas W 28 26 April 1997 20:30 Farense 1–2 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012806 Benfica Dragan Punišić 9 Paixão 2 60 83 Valdir 23 Edgar Pacheco 76 Faro Estádio de São Luís 14,000 Isidoro Rodrigues W 29 4 May 1997 19:00 Benfica 0–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400012907 Rio Ave Lisbon Estádio da Luz 50,000 Pinto Correia D 30 10 May 1997 19:00 Maritimo 2–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400013007 Benfica Edmilson 41 65 João Pinto 2 55 72 Funchal Estádio dos Barreiros 5,000 Cunha Antunes L 31 18 May 1997 17:05 Benfica 1–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400013108 Leça Jorge Soares 14 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 3,000 Soares Dias W 32 24 May 1997 20:30 Porto 3–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400013208 Benfica Mário Jardel 57 62 Jorge Costa 76 Valdo 71 pen. Tahar El Khalej 2 52 75 Porto Estádio das Antas 45,000 António Costa L 33 30 May 1997 19:00 Benfica 0–2 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400013309 Vitória Guimarães Vítor Paneira 63 Quim Berto 89 Campo Maior Estádio Capitão Cesar Correia 30,000 José Leirós L 34 15 June 1997 21:00 Belenenses 1–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=199715400013409 Benfica Andrade 77 Lisbon Estádio do Restelo 2,000 Lucílio Baptista L Taça de Portugal 1996–97 Taça de Portugal Fourth Rd Fourth round 8 December 1996 18:00 Benfica 3–2 yes https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997154500196251 Vitória Guimarães Bermúdez 10 João Pinto 32 95 Capucho 38 Alexandre 84 Lisbon Estádio da Luz Lucílio Baptista W Fifth Rd Fifth round 11 February 1997 20:30 Benfica 2–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997154500195131 Maritimo Martin Pringle 44 Valdo 82 pen. Carlos Jorge 56 Lisbon Estádio da Luz José Rufino W Sixth Rd Sixth round 9 March 1997 20:30 Benfica 3–1 yes https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997154500105061 Desp. Aves João Pinto 87 Valdo 100 Nicǎ Panduru 108 Noverça 61 Lisbon Estádio da Luz António Rola W Quarter-finals 2 April 1997 20:30 Benfica 5–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997154500104041 Dragões Sandinenses João Pinto 12 15 89 Marinho 20 Valdir 82 Landu 54 Lisbon Estádio da Luz António Costa W Semi-finals 30 April 1997 20:30 Benfica 2–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997154500103021 Porto Valdir 28 Edgar Pacheco 32 Lisbon Estádio da Luz Lucílio Baptista W Final 10 June 1997 20:30 Boavista 3–2 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1998154500104021 Benfica Erwin Sánchez 7 58 pen. Nuno Gomes 28 Calado 35 Paulo Jorge Sousa 60 o.g Lisbon Estádio Nacional Paulo Paraty L UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup First round First leg 12 September 1996 19:00 Benfica POR 5–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000298121 POL Ruch Chorzów Donizete 25João Pinto 26Jamir 32Valdo 70 90 Gęsior 73 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 20,000 Hermann Albrecht W Second leg 26 September 1996 19:00 Ruch Chorzów POL 0–0 5–1 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000298122 POR Benfica Chorzów Stadion Ruchu Mika Peltola D Second round First leg 17 October 1996 19:00 Benfica POR 1–0 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000297081 RUS Lokomotiv Moscow João Pinto 8 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 20,000 Alain Sars W Second leg 31 October 1996 19:00 Lokomotiv Moscow RUS 2–3 4–2 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000297082 POR Benfica Solomatin 9Haras 58 Panduru 47Donizete 63João Pinto 90 Moscow Lokomotiv Stadium Knud Erik Fisker W Quarter-finals First leg 6 March 1997 19:00 Benfica POR 0–2 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000204011 ITA Fiorentina Baiano 45Batistuta 89 Lisbon Estádio da Luz 20,000 Helmut Krug L Second leg 20 March 1997 19:00 Fiorentina ITA 0–1 1–2 https://www.foradejogo.net/match.php?match=1997300000204012 POR Benfica Edgar 22 Florence Stadio Artemio Franchi Mario van der Ende W Friendlies Mario Cecchi Gori Memorial Mario Cecchi Gori 7 August 1996Erik Garin Memorial Mario Cecchi Gori (Firenze) https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/mcgori.html RSSSF 22 March 2017 12 December 2008 Fiorentina 1–1 8–9 Benfica Luís Oliveira 42 35 João Pinto Florence Stadio Artemio Franchi D Mario Cecchi Gori Memorial Mario Cecchi Gori 7 August 1996 Benfica 3–1 Arsenal Panduru 16 Donizete 36 Hassan 39 33 John Hartson Florence Stadio Artemio Franchi W 10 August 1996Alberto Miguéns Que Benfica Em Inglaterra http://em-defesa-do-benfica.blogspot.pt/2011/11/que-benfica-em-inglaterra.html Em Defesa do Benfica 22 March 2017 21 November 2011 Coventry City 2–7 Benfica Coventry Highfield Road W Santiago Bernabéu Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu 27 August 1996El Madrid se pasea El Mundo Deportivo 28 August 1996 46 http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1996/08/28/pagina-46/1336409/pdf.html# 22 March 2017 Madrid on vacation Spanish Real Madrid 4–0 Benfica Rául 2 Šuker 15 pen. Victor 54 Lasa 70 Madrid Santiago Bernabéu Stadium 35,000 Antonio Lopez Nieto L Player statistics The squad for the season consisted of the players listed in the tables below, as well as staff member Paulo Autuori (manager), Mário Wilson (manager) and Manuel José (manager).April 2026 Note 1: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Note 2: Players with squad numbers marked ‡ joined the club during the 1996-97 season via transfer, with more details in the following section. Primeira Divisão Taça de Portugal Supertaça UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1 BEL Michel Preud'homme GK 34 -30 5 -7 2 -6 6 -5 2‡ MAR Tahar El Khalej DF 25 1 6 0 1 0 6 0 3‡ POR Jorge Soares DF 20 2 6 0 0 0 2 0 4 POR Hélder Cristóvão DF 10 3 0 0 2 0 3 0 4‡ BRA Ronaldo Guiaro DF 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5‡ COL Jorge Bermúdez DF 27 1 3 1 2 0 6 0 6‡ BRA Jamir Gomes MF 12 1 1 0 2 0 6 1 8 POR João Vieira Pinto MF 28 7 6 6 2 0 6 3 9 MAR Hassan Nader FW 7 1 1 0 1 0 4 0 10 BRA Valdo Filho MF 30 5 6 2 2 0 5 2 11 ROM Basarab Panduru MF 19 2 2 1 1 0 6 1 12 POR Fernando Brassard GK 0 0 1 -1 0 0 0 0 13 POR Dimas Teixeira DF 8 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 13‡ POR Tiago Pereira MF 19 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 14 POR Marinho DF 15 0 4 1 0 0 2 0 15 ANG Paulão MF 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 16‡ BRA Luís Gustavo MF 10 2 1 0 2 0 1 0 17 POR Pedro Henriques DF 21 1 3 0 0 0 2 0 18 ARG Mauro Airez FW 12 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 19 POR Bruno Caires MF 18 2 2 0 2 0 4 0 20 BUL Ilian Iliev MF 21 3 2 0 1 0 4 0 21‡ BRA Valdir FW 10 3 3 2 0 0 0 0 21‡ BRA Donizete FW 16 7 1 0 2 0 3 2 22 POR José Calado MF 24 0 5 1 2 0 4 0 23 POR Edgar Pacheco MF 15 4 5 1 0 0 3 1 24 ANG Akwá FW 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 25‡ SWE Martin Pringle FW 15 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 27 POR Nélson Veríssimo DF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28‡ MAR Abdelkrim El Hadrioui DF 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 29‡ NED Glenn Helder MF 11 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 30‡ BRA Amaral MF 19 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 34 POR Hugo Leal MF 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35‡ BRA Lúcio Wagner DF 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 37‡ POR Nélson Morais DF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |} Transfers April 2026 In Entry date Position Player From club July 1996 CB Jorge Soares Farense July 1996 CB Tahar El Khalej União Leiria July 1996 CB Jorge Bermúdez América de Cali July 1996 CM Tiago Pereira Marítimo July 1996 ST Donizete Verdy Kawasaki July 1996 CM Luís Gustavo Marítimo July 1996 ST Martin Pringle Helsingborg July 1996 CB Ronaldo Guiaro Atlético Mineiro July 1996 DM Jamir Gomes Botafogo January 1997 LB Abdelkrim El Hadrioui AS.FAR In by loan Entry date Position Player From club Return date December 1996 LW Glenn Helder Arsenal 30 June 1997 January 1997 DM Amaral Parma 30 June 1997 March 1997 LB Lúcio Wagner Corinthians Alagoano 30 June 1997 March 1997 ST Valdir Atlético Mineiro 30 June 1997 March 1997 FB Nélson Morais Alverca 30 June 1997 Out Exit date Position Player To club July 1996 CB Ricardo Gomes Retired July 1996 GK José Veiga Alverca July 1996 LB Paulo Pereira Genoa July 1996 CB King Farense July 1996 DM Paulo Bento Oviedo July 1996 LB Daniel Kenedy Paris Saint-Germain July 1996 FW Luiz Gustavo Internacional July 1996 ST Marcelo Deportivo Alavés January 1997 LB Dimas Juventus January 1997 CB Hélder Deportivo January 1997 ST Donizete Corinthians Out by loan Exit date Position Player To club Return date July 1996 CM Maniche Alverca30 June 1997 July 1996 CB Paredão Alverca30 June 1997 References Bibliography Tovar Rui Miguel Almanaque do Benfica Benfica Almanac Lua de Papel Portugal 2012 978-989-23-2087-8 Category:S.L. Benfica seasons Benfica