Players' reaction: "We're back and full of energy"

Benfica lifted their 10th Super Cup after defeating Sporting (0-1) at the Algarve Stadium on Thursday, July 31. Pavlidis (Man of the Match), Barrenechea, Barreiro, and António Silva were delighted with this achievement and made it clear that the team is confident for the 2025/26 season.

At the end of the match, the red players expressed these feelings in their post-match statements.

PAVLIDIS

"We're back and full of energy"

Pavlidis, who scored the winning goal in the 0-1 victory over Sporting and was named Man of the Match in the Super Cup, highlighted the importance of the goal scored in the 50th minute of the game, which secured the trophy. "I'm a striker and I want to score goals, which is very important for my confidence. But yes, I want to help my team and do my best. And, of course, that's the job I have to do, and yes, I'm very happy with the victory," he stated by saying.

The Greek international striker highlighted the team's determination as they took to the field for their first official game of the season: "We can't say it was a difficult season. Of course, we didn't win the Championship or the Cup [of Portugal] last year, but we know how we lost the games or a game. We are happy. We didn't have much time to relax during the break because of the World Cup, but we are back and full of energy, which was evident in the way we won."

Pavlidis emphasized that the team is prepared for the matches against Nice. "We have to be. Benfica needs to be in the Champions League, and that's the most important thing for us," he said. Regarding winning the National Championship in the 2025/26 season, the striker promised to “help the team” and that the team will “work game by game.”

BARRENECHEA

"It's great to start like this with a victory"

Barrenechea, who made his official debut for Benfica, emphasized the importance of starting the season by winning a trophy. "I'm very happy, it was important to start with a victory and win a trophy. The club deserved it and the fans deserved it, it's great to start like this with a victory," said the Argentine midfielder, who revealed the "very good feelings" of playing in Benfica's midfield. "It's great, honestly, it's an incredible group, a very big club, with fans who supported us throughout the 90 minutes. They made me feel that way from the very beginning. I'm very proud to be here," he said, noting that he is "getting into the rhythm of his teammates."

Barrenechea also praised his compatriot Otamendi. "We all know how important he is on and off the pitch. He is an example to us all and someone we all want to follow," said the Eagles' new number 5.

BARREIRO

"The first title of the season is very important"

Barreiro also expressed his delight at winning the Super Cup. "'m very happy. The first title of the season is very important. We played well. We had some difficulties, but we managed to resolve them on the pitch. It's very important to start the season this way," he began.

Regarding his usefulness on the field, Barreiro was emphatic in stating: "I give my response on the pitch and in training. I always give 100% to the team to help them, especially in difficult moments, to bring positivity and energy to the field. That's what I did today. That's how I help the team with my deep runs, but especially by bringing positive energy to the team."

The Luxembourg international considered this victory to be very important for the team's confidence. "It's a joy for the fans, who deserve it after last season. It will give us energy for the challenges ahead," he said.

Barreiro also spoke about his new midfield teammates, Barrenechea and Richard Ríos: "We haven't had much time to work together, but it's in training and in the details that we get to know each other better. This was the first game we played together like this. There's a lot of room for improvement, and we're going to get even better."

ANTÓNIO SILVA

"It was a goal for the season that has already been achieved"

António Silva was naturally a happy man after Benfica won the Super Cup. "The feeling is obviously very good. That's how we wanted to start, it was a goal for the season that has now been achieved. The first half was a bit difficult for us, but in the second half we did enough to score a goal, we had chances to score a second, and then it was a case of holding on to the result," he said.

The center back believes that the team's motivation for the Championship is the same as always, and that the end of last season at the national level is now a thing of the past. "We have the same motivation as always. Benfica's obligation is to be champions every year, and this year will be no exception. The two titles we lost last year are history; they were two titles we clearly wanted to win. That hurt. It was a short period of time. The Super Cup is a different year, and we want to create a new legacy, and we've started well. It's not revenge, it's our merit," he said.

"Football is a bit like that. Maybe we weren't lucky last year with Pavlidis' shot against the post [in matchday 33 of the National Championship against Sporting]. We worked hard for this. It was a very short preseason after the Club World Cup and few holidays. We deserve it," said António Silva, who praised Benfica's new signings for the season. "Quality, obviously, they are very good players with important characteristics for us and will bring a lot to the team," he concluded.