The battle for Benfica’s top seat heated up this week. Martim Mayer stepped forward, making his bid for the presidency official. The grand setting for this announcement was the Capitólio Theater in Lisbon, a place more known for shows than sports politics. But for a club like Benfica, the leadership race is always a drama.
Mayer isn’t new to Benfica’s story; he’s the grandson of Borges Coutinho, who once led the Eagles. His campaign also boasts a significant endorsement from a true club legend: António Simões. Simões, a revered figure among Benfica fans, plans to speak at Mayer’s launch event, which kicked off around 6:30 PM. This move is particularly interesting because Simões had previously backed João Noronha Lopes in the 2020 election, showing a shift in his allegiance. He’s now taken on the role of campaign manager for Mayer, adding serious weight to the challenge.
With Mayer now officially in the running, the race looks crowded. He joins João Noronha Lopes, João Diogo Manteigas, and Cristóvão Carvalho, who have already declared their candidacies. Whispers suggest that Luís Filipe Vieira is also getting ready to announce his return to the fray. Everyone is still waiting to see what current head Rui Costa will decide about his own future plans.
