S.L. Benfica Juniors
Sport Lisboa e Benfica "Juniors", commonly known as Benfica Juniors (Juniores do Benfica), is the under-19 football team belonging to the youth department of Portuguese club S.L. Benfica. Based in Seixal, they hold home matches at the club's training centre and youth academy, Benfica Campus.
| Full name | Sport Lisboa e Benfica "Juniors" | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | As Águias (The Eagles) Os Encarnados (The Reds) | |||
| Ground | Benfica Campus | |||
| Capacity | 2,720 | |||
| President | Rui Costa | |||
| Head coach | Luís Castro | |||
| League | Campeonato Nacional de Juniores | |||
| 2019–20 | CNJ South, 1st | |||
| Website | Club website | |||
|
| ||||
Benfica have won a record 24 Campeonato Nacional de Juniores, one Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup (1996) and one UEFA Youth League (2021–22). Benfica hold UEFA Youth League records for the biggest win in a final, 6–0 against Red Bull Salzburg, most final appearances (4, joint-record with Chelsea) and most games played (70).[1] They were distinguished for "Best implementation of the UEFA Youth League values" in 2013–14.[2]
There are other development teams below under-19, completing Benfica's youth academy: Juvenis "A" and "B"; Iniciados "A" and "B"; Infantis "A", "B", "C" and "D"; Benjamins "A" and "B"; and Traquinas "A". In 2015, Benfica received the Globe Soccer award for Best Academy of the year.[3]
Since the 2018–19 season, Benfica have an under-23 team playing in Liga Revelação (Revelation League).
Players
Current players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
- Key
B = player for Benfica B; U23 = player for the under-23s
Notable players
The following is a list of players who have represented Benfica's first-team in a minimum of 25 matches or have become full internationals while at Benfica. Over 1,000 players have come through the youth ranks, but only a small part of them played for the main team. Those who meet the aforementioned criteria are listed below.[7] In rare exceptions, some graduates debuted for the first-team but left the club before reaching 25 matches and went on to achieve recognition elsewhere while representing their country at full international level; those players are also included. Additionally, outstanding performances (Player of the Year) without ever playing for Benfica are also noteworthy of inclusion.
|
Pre-1960 |
1960s |
1970s |
1980s |
1990s
|
|
2000s |
2010s |
|
Coaching staff
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Luís Araújo |
| Assistant coaches | André Matos Vítor Couto |
| Goalkeeping coach | Paulo Marques |
| Observation coach | Rodolfo Fernandes |
| Fitness coach | Hugo Zagalo |
Last updated: 22 July 2019
Source: [70]
Competitive record
UEFA Youth League
- As of match played 25 April 2022
Note: Benfica score is always listed first.
| Season | Round | Opponent | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | GS | 3–0 | 6–3 | |
| 1–1 | 4–1 | |||
| 0–0 | 0–1 | |||
| R16 | 4–1 | N/A | ||
| QF | N/A | 2–1 | ||
| SF | 4–0 | |||
| F | 0–3 | |||
| 2014–15 | GS | 0–0 | 1–5 | |
| 4–1 | 3–2 | |||
| 3–0 | 1–0 | |||
| R16 | 2–1 | N/A | ||
| QF | 1–1 (aet) (4–5 p) | N/A | ||
| 2015–16 | GS | 8–0 | 5–0 | |
| 1–1 | 2–1 | |||
| 2–0 | 11–1 | |||
| R16 | N/A | 1–1 (aet) (5–4 p) | ||
| QF | N/A | 0–2 | ||
| 2016–17 | GS | 0–0 | 3–0 | |
| 2–0 | 3–2 | |||
| 1–2 | 1–2 | |||
| PO | N/A | 1–1 (aet) (6–5 p) | ||
| R16 | N/A | 1–1 (aet) (5–4 p) | ||
| QF | N/A | 2–0 | ||
| SF | 4–2 | |||
| F | 1–2 | |||
| 2017–18 | GS | 5–1 | 0–2 | |
| 0–0 | 2–2 | |||
| 2–2 | 1–1 | |||
| 2018–19 | GS | 3–0 | 2–2 | |
| 3–0 | 3–1 | |||
| 3–3 | 0–3 | |||
| PO | N/A | 1–2 | ||
| 2019–20 | GS | 2–1 | 3–0 | |
| 1–0 | 7–1 | |||
| 1–2 | 3–2 | |||
| R16 | 4–1 | N/A | ||
| QF | 3–1 | |||
| SF | 3–0 | |||
| F | 2–3 | |||
| 2020–21 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe | |||
| 2021–22 | GS | 1–0 | 0–4 | |
| 4–0 | 3–0 | |||
| 4–0 | 2–0 | |||
| R16 | N/A | 3–2 | ||
| QF | N/A | 4–0 | ||
| SF | 2–2 (4–3 p) | |||
| F | 6–0 | |||
Honours
- Winners (24) – record: 1943–44, 1944–45, 1948–49, 1950–51, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1999–00, 2003–04, 2012–13, 2017–18
- Winners: 1996
- Winners: 2021–22
Other youth honours
Juvenis (under-17)
- Winners (19): 1963–64, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1982–83, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2018–19
Iniciados (under-15)
- Winners (10): 1978–79, 1981–82, 1984–85, 1988–89, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17
Infantis (under-13)
- Winners (3): 1988–89, 1989–90, 1995–96
References
- "All-time UEFA Youth League records". UEFA (in Portuguese). 25 April 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "UEFA Youth League 2013/14: SL Benfica distinguido pela instituição" [UEFA Youth League 2013–14: S.L. Benfica distinguished by the institution]. S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). 4 September 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- "Benfica (Best Academy of the year)". Globe Soccer. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- "2019–20 U19 Benfica squad". S.L. Benfica. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- "2020–21 squad". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- "Benfica - UEFA Youth League". UEFA. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- "Lista de Jogadores Formados no Clube" [List of youth graduates of Benfica]. ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- "Médios Centro" [Central Midfielders]. S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Santana". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Mendes". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Defesas Direitos" [Right Backs]. S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Cruz". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Humberto Fernandes". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Simões". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Diamantino Costa". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "José Henrique". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Humberto Coelho". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Vítor Martins". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Nené". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Artur Correia". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "João Alves". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "António Bastos Lopes". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Jordão". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Shéu". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Jorge Silva". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Cavungi". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Chalana". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "José Luís". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Alberto". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Diamantino". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Eurico". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Fonseca". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Samuel Quina Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "José Carlos". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Paulo Sousa Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Paulo Madeira Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Rui Costa Team history". Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Rui Bento Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Edgar". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Pedro Henriques". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Kenedy". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Maniche Team History". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Hugo Leal". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Sousa". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Bruno Basto". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Diogo Luís". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Bruno Aguiar Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Moreira". ForaDeJogo. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "João Pereira Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Manuel Fernandes Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Sílvio Team history". Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Miguel Vítor Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Miguel Rosa Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "Nélson Oliveira Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "André Gomes Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- "Victor Lindelöf Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- "João Cancelo Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- "João Cancelo". National Football Teams. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- "Renato Sanches Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- "Gonçalo Guedes Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "Bruno Varela Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "Diogo Gonçalves Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "Ferro Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "Florentino Luís Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "Gedson Fernandes Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "Rúben Dias Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "João Félix Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "Jota Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "Nuno Tavares Team history". TheFinalBall. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- Dores, Márcia (22 July 2019). "Nova época: Juniores ao trabalho" [New season: Juniores to the work]. S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). Retrieved 22 July 2019.
- "Palmarés" [Honours]. S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- "Blue Stars_FIFA Youth Cup, Zürich, Schweiz - Geschichte: Siegerliste" [Zurich, Switzerland - History: List of winners]. youthcup.ch (in German). 2011. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- "Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup 2017 Statistical Kit" (PDF). FIFA. 3 April 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 April 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
External links
- Departamento de Formação (in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French)
- How Benfica became a global figurehead in player development – These Football Times (2017)