Benfica Football School becomes champion in Lithuania

The Benfica Football School in Vilnius, Lithuania, became national champions in the Under-14 First League on June 9, thus securing their place in the Elite League.

The first year of the partnership between Benfica and the Ateitis Football Academy ended in success, a project that aims to develop the skills of young Lithuanian players and coaches, with the contribution of the Benfica Football School methodology and the on-site technical coordination of Mário Patrício.

In the 2023/24 season, the Benfica-Ateitis teams (Football Academy Benfica-Ateitis) took part in the Lithuanian Regional and National Championships, as well as in dozens of national and international tournaments, in which it was possible to see the individual and collective evolution of the players in terms of their relationship with the ball, decision-making and "playing the Benfica way".

During the season, some athletes were rewarded and had the opportunity to train in the Benfica Football School at Estádio da Luz and to visit the Benfica Museum – Cosme Damião, the Cathedral and the city of Lisbon, thus getting to know and feel more warmly what Sport Lisboa e Benfica is all about.

The Benfica-Ateitis Football Academy has more than 280 players and 13 teams, making it a benchmark for youth football in Lithuania.