The air was thick with anticipation. João Noronha Lopes, vying for the top spot at Benfica, didn’t hold back at the packed Casa do Benfica in Portalegre. He looked out at the sea of faces, then launched into a sharp critique. His target: “the hypocrites” of the campaign.
He likely aimed his words at Rui Costa, a rival who had previously spoken about “correct weapons” in the campaign. Costa also pushed for unity among Benfica supporters. Vieira, another figure, had chosen to stay quiet on other candidates’ business dealings. He had also voiced his dislike for “popular judgments.” Noronha Lopes seemed to draw a line in the sand, directly addressing these subtle jabs.
“Some people act innocent in this campaign,” Noronha Lopes stated, his voice resonating through the room. “They ask for a clean fight. But then, someone else is doing their dirty work. A smear campaign? Let me be very clear with them all. They won’t break us. I am not afraid.” Each declaration was met with loud applause from the club members, a clear sign of their support.
Noronha Lopes felt the room’s energy. He spoke of a deeper unease among some, a fear of what’s coming. “Many people are nervous,” he explained. “They’re nervous about change. They know a new chapter is about to begin at Benfica.” He painted a picture of a brighter future. This new era, he promised, would bring more joy and more victories. It would also be far more open than what fans had seen before. “This shift begins on October 25,” he declared. He stood alongside his core team, a clear statement of his vision. This included Raquel Vaz-Pinto for Associativism and Luís Pedro Duarte for Strategy. João Cília covered Marketing, while Nuno Gomes and Vítor Paneira handled football roles.
Just the night before, Noronha Lopes had tackled a tough story. News broke that one of his companies reported €2.8 million in losses. He saw this as another tactic from those scared of change. “This isn’t going to stop,” he warned. “The dirt will keep coming. It will target me or others on my team. They do it for just one reason: fear. They know who fills these Benfica Houses. They know someone is ready to challenge many long-standing figures.” The fight for Benfica’s leadership is clearly more than just a vote; it’s a battle for its very future.