Artur Santos, European Cup winner with Benfica | OneFootball

Artur Santos, a revered Benfica defender and European Cup winner, would have turned 95 today.

According to Glorioso 1904, the Paço de Arcos native joined at 15. He made 382 appearances, 286 in official competitions, and captained the side 70 times.

He featured occasionally for the first team in 1949/50, the season of Benfica’s Latin Cup triumph, while establishing himself as a regular for the reserves. The following campaign he became a regular in a defence led by Félix, then an undisputed starter from 1951/52, bar 1957/58, until his penultimate year.

Initially deployed mostly at right back, he filled in on the left when required. From 1954, under Otto Glória, he was primarily the centre half, switching back to the right at times, notably in his final season.

He helped deliver the league title in 1954/55, then again in 1957, 1960 and 1961, the last two under Béla Guttmann. He also won five Portuguese Cups and was part of the European run as captain that ended with José Águas lifting the trophy in Berne, the club’s first European Cup.

Benfica gave him a farewell match after retirement, a friendly against La Chaux de Fonds in October 1961. He then coached in the club’s youth, worked elsewhere, and later returned to represent Benfica through Sport Lisboa e Saudade, now Sport Saudade e Benfica.

Source: Glorioso 1904