Rui Costa re-elected Benfica president with world record turnout | OneFootball

As expected, Rui Costa won the second round of Benfica’s presidential election and will guide the fortunes of Portugal’s biggest football club for the 2025-2029 mandate.

Costa had won the initial election a fortnight ago in which six candidates ran for president, but he did not earn an outright majority, necessitating a second ballot involving the two candidates who had acquired the most votes.

The final result of Saturday’s election was unequivocal: 65.89% of the voters chose Rui Costa, which was almost double the 34.11% who voted for João Noronha Lopes.

A total of 93,081 Benfica members cast their vote, which established a new world record for a presidential election of a football club.

“My first words go to the Benfiquistas – what immense pride!” said Costa in his victory speech. “Congratulations for this notable democratic vitality and the extraordinary turnout. Only Benfica could make history like this. What magnitude, soul and participation! Benfica have no equal.

“From the north to south of Portugal, in the islands and those spread all over the world, the members expressed their wishes clearly and unequivocally. I thank the confidence placed in me and accept the responsibility to continue to work for more victories, more trophies and for Benfica.”

Third-place Benfica host Casa Pia later on Sunday evening looking for a win to keep on the coattails of Porto and Sporting at the top of the Liga Portugal table.