The talent factory Benfica Lisbon is worth billions

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It was a show of power. With a 5:1 Benfica Lisbon shoots into the top eight in the royal class. An impressive achievement for a club that has been feeding Europe’s top leagues with player material for years – generating over a billion in transfer fees.

Enzo Fernández, brand new world champion and 121 million man, is the latest example of the transfer policy at the traditional Portuguese club. It was collected by River Plate in the summer for 14 million francs and resold at a large profit less than six months later. Even if 30 of the said 121 million – the Argentines were involved in 25% of the resale – were sold right away, it was a great deal.

Chelsea and Atletico like to help themselves

With this transfer, the Londoners have transferred a total of 193 million euros to Lisbon since 2010 – divided among four players. David Luiz and Nemanja Matic formed an era.

After the deal with Fernandez, no club transferred more money to Lisbon than Chelsea. Not even Atlético Madrid (174.2 million), which resulted in record sales. In 2019, the Madrilenians withdrew the release clause of Joao Felix, who fled to Chelsea this winter due to lack of success. Jan Oblak was the better deal there. In 2014 for 14 million, the 30-year-old goalkeeper is now one of the best in his family.

Next export hits are ready

Almost more impressive than these blockbuster transfers is the sheer amount of talent being dispersed across Europe from Lisbon. Since 2010, there are more than 30 players that cost 15 million and more. Bernardo Silva or Joao Cancelo were once so “cheap”. Ángel Di María also took his first steps in Europe in Lisbon.

Real Madrid, Bayern, PSG, Man City, Man United – you name it – all use the club, which is on track with the next generation to claim their first league title since 2019.

The next export hits are already waiting in the talent factory.

Striker Gonçalo Ramos (21), whom Swiss fans should know from the World Cup final, and centre-back Antonio Silva (19) are the next academy diamonds in the rough.

Lead your team to the semi-finals of the CL, the cash registers in Lisbon just keep ringing.

Source : Blick