The Champions mingled with the crowd

The celebrations of the 38th national title had a new chapter this Monday, 29. Thousands of Benfiquistas did not want to miss the Lisbon City Hall's (CML) reception to the national champions and once again paid their tribute to the winners of the Liga Bwin 2022/23.

President Rui Costa, coach Roger Schmidt and the duo formed by Otamendi and João Mário, responsible for transporting the trophy, were at the head of the delegation, which included 24 players - Gonçalo Guedes, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, was absent. 

CARLOS MOEDAS' INTERVENTION

"You represent the hope we need because they have succeeded and trust each other as brothers. Your main asset is to put aside your differences to give your all. We have Otamendi's leadership; the security of Odysseas and Grimaldo; the irreverence of João Neves, António Silva and Florentino; the overcoming of Morato, Musa and Bah, the fighting spirit of Neres, Gilberto and Chiquinho; the experience of João Mário, Aursnes and Draxler; the firepower of Rafa, [Gonçalo] Guedes and [Gonçalo] Ramos. Your example is that indestructible union between all the players on the pitch, on the bench, in the dressing room, and giving everything for Benfica", praised the Mayor of Lisbon. 

RUI COSTA'S INTERVENTION

"This is an achievement that is not only a sportive accomplishment. It is also worth it for the way we achieved our main goal and fulfilled our ambition of winning this championship. With an offensive, vibrant and winning football, a mix of experience and betting on the formation, in a strategy aligned with the values and identity of the Club, we set our course and never looked back", claimed Rui Costa.

"This was a championship much desired by the fans, but also by this extraordinary work group(...) To the person I consider the great architect of this achievement.... Thank you very much, Roger! To our players, to all of them without exception, for all the self-denial they had, for all the belief they had, for playing the Benfica way all year long... Thank you all very much", he highlighted.

"This title belongs to all Benfiquistas. It is the title of the recovery of pride! (...) A title of Benfica and for Benfica. Against nobody! For us, for Benfica!", stressed Rui Costa, who didn't hide his emotion when dedicating the 38th national title to his "idol" Fernando Chalana, who passed away last August.

President Rui Costa, coach Roger Schmidt, and captain Otamendi received a statuette of Saint Anthony (colored in red), while mayor Carlos Moedas was presented with a silver eagle and a jersey autographed by the national champions.