Memories and unique moments at the new Estádio da Luz

TESTEMONIALS

Twenty-one years ago, on October 25, 2003, the new Estádio da Luz was officially inaugurated. In the Cathedral of the Eagles, a venue capable of holding around 65,000 fans, there were multiple joys shared, as well as heart-stopping moments in the stands.

Also on the pitch, on that grass, memories were created, unforgettable matches were played, special moments were felt, and unforgettable goals were celebrated. That's what we're bringing you here, in the voice - to the Club's media - of Benfica's coach, Bruno Lage, and the players Tomás Araújo and Florentino, all of whom are part of the history of this 21st anniversary of Estádio da Luz, which is being celebrated this Friday, October 25, 2024.

TOMÁS ARAÚJO: “The first memory I have? Ah, a game against Bayern! As I was from another town, from the North, the first time I came here was for a match against Bayern in the Champions League [2015/16]. I think it was in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. I remember very well the goal in which Eliseu crosses from midfield, and then, if I'm not mistaken, Jiménez heads it in... The atmosphere in the stadium that day was unforgettable.”

FLORENTINO: "I was 12 years old. It was the first time I went, when I joined Benfica, and they invited me to watch a game against Belenenses."

BRUNO LAGE: "My first memory of the Estádio da Luz is from a distance, at the Pupilos do Exército, training my U11 team on the pitch, looking into the distance and seeing the red arches and, more especially, on matchdays at night, particularly for the Champions League, when we would train to the sound of our fans supporting the team. Those were fantastic days, when we could train to that sound, and you could really look at the stadium and dream of one day experiencing a Benfica and Champions League night."

TOMÁS ARAÚJO: "I think they've all been positive. I think I'm at a level where I feel confident, and I'm showing that level on the pitch, I can't single out a more positive or less positive game."

FLORENTINO: "Wow, lots of them! But I can say the one against Sporting when we turned the game around at the end."

BRUNO LAGE: "Every game is special at the Estadio da Luz, but the one that stands out is the match against Santa Clara [2018/19]. The confirmation of the title, the team came into the game very well, it was a first half in which we felt that the three points were won and that the title was ours, and it was the confirmation of all the work we did that year. And, of course, there's a special moment: curiously, it's not my first game at the Estádio da Luz, but it is my first game as first-team coach, which is the match against Rio Ave. That's where it all began, it was the realization of a dream and, of course, it's also a great moment. I'd like to take this opportunity to share that my first game at the Estádio da Luz, which I also remember fondly, was when I was coaching the youth team. We played a derby at the Estádio da Luz in 2006."

TOMÁS ARAÚJO: "It was my debut, against Covilhã, for the League Cup. It was a very special game for me and my family, the culmination of a dream I've had since I joined the club at the age of 14. It was a very special moment for me."

FLORENTINO: "The best moment was my debut, against Nacional, of course."

FLORENTINO: "[Laughs] I only have one... No, I've got two! But the first, of course, because the first time is always special, so that's the best goal."

BRUNO LAGE: "We celebrated many beautiful goals at the Estádio da Luz, but the first one that comes to mind is João Félix's, against Rio Ave, in which he made it 2-2.  That goal was important, we went in at half-time level and then, as we had started the kid in that game, it was confirmation that we had made the right bet. Another goal, I remember, came Seferovic against Tondela, a very difficult game after an international break, and curiously coincided with Adel [Taarabt]'s debut in the first team. Adel came onto the pitch, passed to Grimaldo on the left, who crossed for Seferovic to head home the goal. We scored a lot of goals, but I'd put Di María's goal against Santa Clara. It's a great goal, by a great player, which somehow coincides with my return to the first team and also with the third goal - and practically the first win - and then the player's sign of unity at the end of the game, pulling his teammates to celebrate the goal with him, and also pulling the crowd towards the team."