Benfica presidential candidate João Noronha Lopes has announced a bolstered sports leadership team, including two club legends and a seasoned Olympic official, ahead of Saturday’s election.
Six-time World’s Best Futsal Player Ricardinho is slated to contribute to futsal development strategy. He previously led Benfica to four championships, three Portuguese Cups, a UEFA Futsal Cup, and four Super Cups.
Felipe Gomes, the Vice-President for Modalities in Noronha Lopes’ bid, stated Ricardinho is “much more than a futsal symbol; he is also a Benfica reference.”
Jean-Jacques, a prominent figure in Benfica’s 1990s basketball, will focus on identifying new talent. He will also work to strengthen ties with the club’s extensive Angolan fanbase.
Gomes described Jean-Jacques as “the best Angolan basketball player ever” and “one of the best in Africa.” The candidacy’s statement added that Jean-Jacques “symbolizes dedication, team spirit, and connection to the club’s mystique.”
João Paulo Almeida will serve as General Sports Coordinator for the club’s various athletic divisions. He brings over a decade of experience as Director-General of the Portuguese Olympic Committee.
Gomes noted Almeida’s “global vision of sport, experience in high-performance management, and deep knowledge of Portuguese, federative, and international realities.” His leadership is considered “fundamental in defining the sports model to reinforce the organization, planning, and demands of Benfica’s modalities.”
The “Benfica Above All” candidacy seeks a new phase in the club’s sports modalities. This phase aims for “competence, identity, and ambition that have always characterized Benfica.”
Gomes detailed the new roles in an interview on the ‘Visão Vermelha’ podcast.