In the world of football, where money often dictates power, there’s a quiet mastery happening in Lisbon. A recent move, the sale of defender Álvaro Carreras to Real Madrid for 50 million euros, has once again put a spotlight on a club many now see as a global benchmark. The Spanish newspaper ‘As’ recently called them a “gold mine.” They even said the way this club handles its business is admired “across the entire planet.”
This praise isn’t just about one big sale. After paying Manchester United their share and covering the initial cost, Benfica still pocketed a cool 33.2 million euros from Carreras. But that’s just the latest example. Over the past decade, this club has become incredibly skilled at finding, nurturing, and selling talent. According to ‘As’, who looked at numbers from ‘Transfermarkt’, Benfica has made a positive balance of 800 million euros in the last ten years. Their total sales during that time add up to over 1.3 billion euros.
A History of Big Sales
Benfica’s knack for turning young players into football stars is well-known. Their list of high-value transfers reads like a roll call of modern football heroes. These include:
- João Félix, who moved to Atlético Madrid for 127 million euros.
- Enzo Fernández, sold to Chelsea for 121 million euros.
- Darwin Núñez, heading to Liverpool for 85 million euros.
- Rúben Dias, joining Manchester City for 71 million euros.
These massive deals show a clear pattern. Benfica isn’t just lucky; they have a system.
The “Gold Mine” Secret
So, what’s the secret sauce? It comes down to a simple, yet powerful, idea: “developing and maximizing talent.” This isn’t just a catchy phrase for Benfica; it’s how they run things. They invest in scouting young players, train them up, and give them a stage to shine. When these players reach their peak, they become valuable assets for bigger leagues or richer clubs. It’s a strategy that has turned the club into that “gold mine” ‘As’ described.
The Portuguese league simply can’t hold onto its brightest stars for long. Clubs here often buy players for less and sell them for a lot more. It’s a necessity, really, given the financial realities. Other big clubs in Portugal also follow this path. FC Porto and Sporting, for example, have balanced their books with about 400 million euros in player sales and purchases. Braga is not far behind, with around 250 million euros. But Benfica stands out, leading the pack with their consistent and remarkable success in the transfer market.
