Benfica presidential candidate Noronha Lopes is actively working to steer the club’s election discourse away from past disputes and financial questions, emphasizing a forward-looking agenda and direct engagement with supporters.
Lopes recently published his income declarations from 2017 to 2023. He stated this action was to defend his honor and eliminate any financial doubts, aiming to shift focus solely to ideas for the club.
The candidate has outlined 150 proposed measures for Benfica’s future. He criticized rivals, including Rui Costa and Luís Filipe Vieira, suggesting that fans are “tired of discussing past issues, who did what and who didn’t work.”
Lopes called on other candidates to respect the club’s members. His campaign strategy involves meeting supporters at various Benfica clubs rather than in hotels.
This approach was evident at a recent event in Paredes, where he received an “apotheotic” welcome, complete with chants and fireworks. Lopes stated this type of direct engagement highlights his connection with the fan base, asserting that “the north is also Benfica.”
He seeks to maintain a positive campaign. Lopes aims to distinguish between those who dwell on past controversies and those who offer future solutions. He explicitly rejects a “dirty laundry washing” approach to the election.