New chapter in the tribute to the King

In another step in preparation for the 2025/26 season, Benfica welcomes Fenerbahçe to the 13th edition of the Eusébio Cup, a tournament that pays tribute to the Black Panther. Kick-off against the Turkish team is scheduled for 8:00 pm this Saturday, July 26, at Estádio da Luz.

Jerseys on, Glorioso scarves draped over shoulders, and all roads lead to the Cathedral. More than two months later, the ball is rolling again at the Eagles' stadium.

In an atypical preseason, due to Benfica's participation in the Club World Cup, and with the Super Cup final scheduled for July 31 at the Estádio Algarve, this will be an excellent opportunity for fans to see Bruno Lage's team in action and cheer them on.

In addition to returning home, this is the tribute match to Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, the greatest symbol in the history of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, with the Eusébio Cup competition.

In the last two editions of the competition, the Eagles flew higher. They placed the trophy honoring the King – who left us on January 5, 2014 – in the Benfica Museum – Cosme Damião: in 2022, a 3-2 against Newcastle; in 2024, a 5-0 triumph over Feyenoord.

The Eusébio Cup was first played in 2008 against Inter Milan, with Eusébio himself symbolically kicking off the match. The following year, Benfica entered its name on the list of winners for the first time, beating AC Milan on penalties (5-4) after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.

The 13th edition of the Eusébio Cup brings Fenerbahçe to Lisbon, a Turkish team that has always been defeated on the three occasions it has visited Estádio da Luz.

The most emblematic of Benfica's three victories dates back to 2012/13, more specifically to May 2, 2013. After losing 1-0 in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final, Benfica hosted the Istanbul team knowing they had to win by more than one goal. In what is considered one of the most iconic games at the new Estádio da Luz, with a truly hellish atmosphere, the Eagles won 3-1, with two goals from Óscar Cardozo and one from Nico Gaitán, qualifying for the Europa League final, 23 years after their last appearance in a final organized by UEFA.

The two teams had met before and crossed paths again later. The first match between the two clubs took place in the first round of the 1975/76 European Cup, with the Reds winning the first leg 7-0 (three goals from Nené, three from Rui Jordão, and one from Shéu), losing 1-0 in the second leg, and thus advancing in the competition.

The last two clashes are fresh in the memory, as they took place in 2018, in the third qualifying round for the Champions League group stage. At Estádio da Luz, in the first leg, the Eagles won 1-0 with a goal from Franco Cervi, and qualification for the next round was sealed at the Sükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, thanks to a 1-1 draw in the second leg. Gedson Fernandes scored the goal for Benfica.

In total, officially, the two teams have met six times, with Benfica winning three matches, Fenerbahçe winning two, and one draw.

However, the first face-to-face encounter took place in 1962, in Istanbul, in a private match. Benfica won 1-3, with the second goal scored by... Eusébio. Coluna and Águas scored the other goals.

EUSÉBIO CUP: THE STORY BEHIND THE TROPHY