Rui Costa: "The big winner is Benfica and the absolute priority is to win!" 

SPEECH

Rui Costa is the 34^th President in the centenary history of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. In his inauguration speech as Glorioso's leader, on the dawn of October 10, he called for "unity", stressing that the "goal is to win".

"The big winner of this historic election was Sport Lisboa e Benfica and its greatness. What a great day for Benfica! And what a huge response of pride and love for our club our members gave today! So I repeat: the big winner of this election was, is, and will always be Benfica! With 40,115 voters, we had the largest mobilization and participation ever in elections in a club in Portugal. The greatness of our Club was thus expressed, in a demonstration of the strong commitment and strength concerning our future. Benfica comes out much stronger, after this electoral process ", he claimed.

"We had a lively, frontal debate in which the club's resources were used to the full, which contributed a great deal to the great mobilization that we have seen today. Also, in the person of Francisco Benitez, I would like to offer a word of praise to all the Benfiquistas who have run for the various social bodies of our Club for List B. By being elected President of Sport Lisboa e Benfica with the most votes in its history, I am very aware of the additional responsibility that I and my entire team have been given. As of today, there are no winners or losers. From today, the only winner is our Benfica", he stressed.

"Today we turn a page in the history of our Club, in which I succeed Luís Filipe Vieira as President, whose work of rebuilding, consolidating and growing Benfica over 18 years deserves the highest recognition. Tomorrow [October 10], a new cycle begins, with redoubled ambition and confidence in the future", he stated.

"Respecting diversity, but united in action, because the cause that unites us is one and only: the glorious Sport Lisboa e Benfica. There is no other. We are here on behalf of all the Members and supporters who, in Portugal and all over the world, cheer for Benfica. We are here for the Casas do Benfica. We are here for our athletes, staff and professionals from many different areas, to make the uncompromising defense of Benfica, which we love with great passion", highlighted Rui Costa, adding: "Our goal is to win, to always win in all sports competitions where teams and athletes from the Club are present. This is the absolute priority, everything else is focused on helping to make it happen. Whether in terms of financial management, assets, or organization. We are the largest national sports institution that is very proud of its history. We are Benfica!"

"To my future colleagues in the different corporate bodies of the Club, thank you very much for your availability. And it is to the Benfiquista Family that I express my commitment to do everything I can every day to honor your trust. I will always be one of you, because the Benfica of the future is 'For all, with all, for Benfica. Long live Benfica'. Long live Benfica", he concluded.