National Championships: the 37 of the Reconquest!

Sport Lisboa e Benfica has a century-old history full of titles and trophies. In the Reconquest year, the Club from Luz added another cup to the vast showcases of the Benfica Museum - Cosme Damião. The club won the 37^th National Championship of its history!

Benfica is the great dominating force in the National Championship – the club won 44% of the competition’s 85 editions - and one of the most decorated clubs in the world.

In the first three decades of the competition – the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s – there was a great balance between Benfica and Sporting, with FC Porto a bit further back, and Belenenses with one championship in its list of trophies. By this time, the eagles had clinched nine titles against ten from the lions and five from the dragons.

Next came the 1960s, a golden decade for the Reds and Portuguese football - who doesn't remember Portugal at the 1966 World Cup in England? In total, eight championships went to Luz, six of them in the form of three league titles in a row, to which are added two European Cups. The players who achieved this? Many! At the top, Eusébio, well supported by Coluna, José Augusto, Simões, Germano, Costa Pereira, among others...

The 1970s were a time of social upheaval in Portugal, but in football, Benfica’s success continued. Six National Championships in the form of three league titles in a row, with Sporting (3) and FC Porto (2) meddling from time to time. It worth highlighting the title from 1972/73! With Jimmy Hagan, the Reds finished the season unbeaten and with more than 100 goals scored.

In the 1980s, despite the competitive growth of FC Porto, Benfica finished as the dominating force with five titles in its honors and the presence in several European finals. It's also at this time that a certain... Sven-Göran Eriksson arrives in Portugal. The Swedish coach won two league titles in a row, 1982/83 and1983/84, returning to Luz a few years later.

The 1990s were the saddest years of the Club's century-old history, due to financial problems that had repercussions on the pitch. Only two National Title (1990/91 and 1993/94) and drought that ended in 2004/05. Trapattoni, the Old Fox, won the title at Estádio do Bessa. The Champion had returned! In addition to this title, the 21st century brought the unprecedented four league titles in a row and the return to the European finals.