Ezkobar

List of current\Past famous SL Benfica Players. This list includes

International Players
Awarded Players

Note: the list of foreign players, and Portuguese players, has nothing to do with the individual football quality. It´s all about the reputation factor.

LIST OF FOREIGN FAMOUS PLAYERS

Michel Preud'homme

Ilian Iliev

Binya

Jorge Bermúdez

Karel Poborsky

Michael Manniche

Abdel Sattar Sabry

Alberto

Fabrizio Miccoli

Miklos Feher

Edgaras Jankauskas

David Suazo

Kikin Fonseca

Zoran Filipovic

Azar Karadas

Zlatko Zahovic

Serhiy Kandaurov

Alejandro Cichero

Tueba Menayane

LIST OF PORTUGUESE FAMOUS PLAYERS

1904 - 1960

1960 - 1970

1970 - 1980

1980 - 1990

1990 - 2000

2000

HISTORICAL PLAYERS

List of Historical SL Benfica Players. This list includes

Players notable for their loyalty.
Players notable for their great individual atributes.
The notable captains and leaders.

Note: the list of Historical SL Benfica Players, has diferent criterea in the selection of the players.

Goalkeepers

Michel Preud´homme "Le Saint" - Playing with Michel was like having a 12th player. He was one of the few players in the late 90´s that could attract the audience to Estádio da Luz during the Dark Period. He was considered the best in the world in his position in 1994. He is still a fan favourite, and the SL Benfica fans will always remember him as "Le Saint Michel"

Manuel Galrinho Bento - A true great. A Fantastic goalkeeper that represented SL Benfica for years and was inumerous times Portuguese Liga champion.

José Henriques "Zé Gato" - The substitute of the great Costa Pereira, Zé Gato, started his reign in the late 60´s through the 70´s. He won 8 championships. One of the Estádio da Luz Legends.

Costa Pereira - An Elegant keeper. Costa Pereira is a two time European champion, and that says it all. he represented SL Benfica in 502 games, Thirteen seasons with the reds.

Defenders Center

Humberto Coelho - Probably the greates Central Defender in the history of SL Benfica. He is a true legend an eight time Liga Champion, and started in the National team with only 18 years old.

Mozer - This is one of those cases of love on the first sight. Mozer and Sl Benfica were meant for each other. The Brazilian was a fan favourite at Estádio da Luz, not only for his presence as a strong marking Central but also for is Charisma. He was also capped for Brazil 36 times.

Ricardo Gomes - Having Ricardo, in the Defence was like having a concrete wall. Rarely the opposition could pass this Pilar.

Félix - Noted for his presence. He was an indispensable player of the squad. Supporters used to use the expression "SL & FELIX".

Germano - One of the figures of the two European Cup Finals that SL Benfica won. One of the best of all time in the position.

Luisão "O Patrão" The Giant Luisão or simply the "Boss" of SL Benfica´s Defence. He is linked with the clubs history, for scoring the fundamental goal that gave the championship in 2005 for the reds. The brazilian international, is a fan favourite and he is known for his character and impressive posture that turned him into one of the figures of SL Benfica´s New Era.

Defenders Left

Álvaro Magalhães - Played for the reds in the 80´s and left his mark as one of the best Left backs in the history of the Lisbon club. Álvaro is a former portuguese international. He also won the Portuguese championship with SL Benfica four Times.

Stefan Schwarz - Inteligence and Class. Stefan was one of the Swedish Wonders that, played in the portuguese championship. He was so inteligent tactically that he could play in several positions such as : Center Midfielder, Left Winger but he was famous in the Reds for being a strong Left Back.

Gustavo Teixeira He represented SL Benfica in the 30´s. In this early stage of Benfica´s existence, he was a pilar in the defence. He also was capped for 9 times for Portugal, always as captain. He was known for his dedication and Fairplay.

Cruz' - 10 Seasons with the reds and almost 500 games in the 60´s. Cruz was known for his concentration , and for the ease that he would solve the defencive problems.

Angelo - He would give it all in the field. He played from the 50´s to the early 60´s with the reds shirt.

Defenders Right

Dominiciano Cávem - The mistic dreams surrounding the 1961 and 1962 European cup finals , brought good luck to SL Benfica. He played in every position in the field during is career except as a goalkeeper.

Minervino Pietra - One of the Best ever. Elegance, talent and passion all combined. Pietra played in SL Benfica in the 70´s.

António Veloso - A secure, strong , passionate defender. He was a proeminent figure in SL Benfica during the early 90´s late 80´s. His son Miguel Veloso is also a football player, he plays for Sporting CP

Serra In the Late 50´s serra was one of the best right defenders in Portugal. He started as a Central Defender but Guttman saw his potencial as a Right-Back.

Defensive Midfielder

Mário Coluna "O Monstro Sagrado" - Talent, Creativity, and Vision. Coluna was one of the most gifted players of his generation. He was the engine of SL Benfica midfield that won two European Cup finals, and as runner-up in other three. The future of Defensive Midfielders was Coluna back in the 60´s, a true box-to-box. Even a talented young Éusebio looked up for "mr Coluna´s" aproval.

Petit "The Pitbull" - Raw Power and Passion, this was Petit. One of the pilars that won the championship in 2004. the Pitbull was a fan favourite in "Estádio da Luz".

Jonas Thern - Thern, was one of the Swedish talents that arrived to SL Benfica in the late 80´s few supporters could forget his contribution to the 1991 championship, and the presence of the Swedish man in the center of the field.

Toni "The Berear of the Mistica" - The best Portuguese player in 1972, is one of those "Benfica Styled" players, giving all for the shirt and the Symbol.

Vasili Kulkov - The russian was one of the most talented box-to-box players to set foot on "Estádio da Luz". He also represented FC Porto, but few supporters could forget the game against Leverkusen for the champions league where Kulkov made a massive exibition.

Albino "O Tempero" - In the early Benfica Albino felt the mistica. He played for 13 seasons with reds shirt and won six Championships

Center Midfielders

Shéu Han - One of those players that is a Synonim of Benfica. He was part of the "Mistica". Not only he was a great midfielder he continued his career with the lisbon club by using his experience of the game as a director.

Cosme Damião - Probably the main founder of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. A cult man, and gifted athlete, Cosme is a Legend to all the SL Benfica fans.

Carlos Manuel "A Locomotiva" - A talented player that knew how to please the fans. In spite of playing for the rivals Sporting CP , Carlos his remembered as one of the great players, that spread his magic at Estádio da Luz

Francisco "Xico" Ferreira - Even Real Madrid couldn´t be indifferent to his quality. IL Grand Torino boss Comendador Novo tried to assure his services in 1949 but Xico remained in SL Benfica. He was a man of great sportsmanship and Fairplay, one of the first great Benfica Captains.

Jaime da Silva Graça - He played 9 seasons with the reds shirt. A good technical midfielder.

Isaias "o Profeta" - The force of nature, that was Isaias combined Strenght, Shoot Power, Technique and dedication. He was a powerhouse, and a true fan favourite. He was good because he was good, he didn´t have any special dribble or any kind of pretty moves , he was all about productivity.

Left Wingers

Fernando Chalana "O Pequeno Genial" - One of the most talented players ever to play at SL Benfica. He was a genie with a ball, it seemed like he could think faster than his opponets. With the ball Chalana could do Wonders, The six time champion was considered the Portuguese footballer of the year in two occasions (1976 and 1984)

Rogério "Pipi" In the 50´s he was one of the Top Portuguese players of his generation. He was a fan favourite and was part of the five "Red Devils" alongside with fellow teammates : Julinho, Mário Rui, Arsénio, Espírito Santo.

António Simões "O Mickey Mouse" - with only 17 years old he was indispensable in the SL Benfica eleven. Considered the best left Winger in the Europe Simões in the 1966 World Cup scored a goal against Pelé´s Brazil.

Simão Sabrosa - Speed, Technique and Goals, these are synonims of Simão´s stint at Estádio da Luz. Club captain, and the figure of the new Era that was arriving.

José Antonio Reyes - As soon as he arrived the fans knew , this guy is amazing. Reyes is a great player, that SL Benfica fans put a lot of cofidence in his abilities.

Paulo Futre - One of the best Portuguese players of all time. A short stint at SL Benfica , but just in time to win a Portuguese Cup with a memorable game.

Right Wingers

Tamagnini "Néné" - A story of Loyalty. This man gained the Footballer of The year award (1971), while competing with Eusébio. He is one of the symbols of the club winning eleven Championships , and scoring 361 goals in the process. He only knew a club in his life SL Benfica.

José Augusto - He was part of the Legendary team of the 60´s that achieved the European Cup final for 5 times. He was also third in the world cup of 66 while playing for Portugal National Football Team.

Karel Poborsky - The Czech, arrived to Estádio da Luz during the Dark years, but fans couldn´t be indiferent to his talent. He was one of the best pure wingers to play for SL Benfica.

Vitor Paneira "O Capitão" - For most kids in the 80´s Vitor was an Idol. He helped Sl Benfica to achieve thre championship victories, and reach the European Cup Finals (1990) against AC Milan. If someone diserved that victory that was him, but unfortunatly Milan won that battle. He left Benfica with only 28 years old, due to management issues, but the true fact is that Victor will always be a part of SL Benfica´s history as one of the top players.

Diamantino Miranda - a Talented right midfielder, SL Benfica missed his services in the European Cup Finals against Ajax due injury. A fabulous player, blessed with great tecnique.

Creative Midfielders

Valdo Filho - The brazilian prodigy, represented SL Benfica in two occasions, but it was the first one that marked him as the best playmaker in the reds history. Valdo´s Playmaking skills where near perfection.

Rui Costa "Maestro" - The Maestro, was part of a generation of prodigy´s that counted with players such as Figo, and João Vieira Pinto. His dedication to club, is well known he is a true SL Benfica Fan. He became a fan favourite in every club he played SL Benfica, Fiorentina and AC Milan.

Glenn Strömberg "The Marathon Man" The first Swede, to arrive. He didn´t play the usual nordic football. His football had a different perfume, he had a tecnique above the average, he was all about pure talent.

Forwards

Eusébio da Silva Ferreira "o Rei Pantera Negra" - undoubtly the best portuguese player of all time, and by many the best player in the world before Maradona. The boy that idolized Di Stefano and after beat him in the Uefa Champions League final (1962), humbly asked for his jersey that he kept like a treasure. Eusébio was a phenom, that spread magic on the pitch, and as delighted the English fans at the World Cup (1966), colected individuals honours and recognition around the world. Benfica honoured theire idol with a statue in front of the Stadium.

João V. Pinto "The Golden Boy" - One of the best players of his generation. Great technique, and leadearship, on the dark years João Pinto was the guiding light of the team. Not even the fact of playing for Sporting C.P. made the Golden Boy less loved among the SL Benfica supporters.

Vitor Baptista "The earring boy" - Egotistic, Crazy, a true genious. Historical the moment he left the earring on the pitch. Could have been one of the best players in the world, but like a true genious his personal life didn´t let him achieve the notoriety that he deserved.

Espirito Santo - One of the first african descendent players, to wear the reds jersey. he was a talented player, even the rival Sporting CP , superstar Peyroteo recognized that.

Nuno Gomes - One of the topscorers in the SL Benfica history. His loyalty and dedication for the reds, as made him a popular figure at Estádio da Luz. There was always a lot of controversy about is positioning on the pitch, but the common sense is that Nuno is a Supporting Forward and not a pure Striker.

Claudio Paul Caniggia - The first foreign World Class player to wear the reds jersey. In spite of his short tenure at Estádio da Luz, Caniggia´s talent was a delight to any fan. He was a Superstar, this was the player that spread his magic at the Fifa World Cup 1990. This was the man that one day kissed Maradona in the mouth.

Strikers

José Águas "The Great Captain" - The first great Striker of SL Benfica. The first to old the Uefa Champions League Trophy. It is legendary the image of José olding the cup after beating FC Barcelona in the final. is son Rui Águas as followed dad´s footsteps, and has also became a SL Benfica player with great sucess.

José Torres "O Bom Gigante" - He had a Human side as big as his football ability. A fabulous striker, that combined his positiong with is finishing ability. He was lethal in front of goal. He was part of the Magriços that represented Portugal in the World Cup of 1966.

Mats Ture Magnusson - The Powerfull, agile striker parted from lisbon with SL Benfica in his hearth. When swedish fans think about tecnique and power they think about Ibrahimovic, When SL Benfica fans thing about técnique, power and goals they think about Mats Magnusson.

Pierre Van Hooijdonk "Pi-Air" - He was a strong inteligent striker. In spite of being only one year with the reds, his freekicks where memorable.

Michael Manniche "O Tosco"When he arrived, the média where confused. he didn´t look like a football player. But the fact is that Michael convinced everyone and he is one of the historical figures of the lisbon club.