Luis Filipe Vieira: We have no intention of selling our main youth players

On Benfica’s 115th birthday, club president Luis Filipe Vieira discussed the state of Benfica’s finances and how the Lisbon club are now under no obligation to sell their best players.

In an interview with the newspaper O Benfica, Vieira has once again stated in no uncertain terms that selling the players that came from the club’s acclaimed youth academy is not the club’s objective.

Vieira said: “We have no intention to sell our main players who have recently arrived from Seixal.”

“With every day that passes, these young talents are more valuable, and it shows the great vision and direction [of the club] that the bet on youth and the formation of a strong academy will be the right choice.”

He also restated that player’s from the youth academy will not be sold for any less than their termination clause.

Vieira had further words of encouragement for Benfica fans, stating that “The priority is to ensure that this batch of youngsters form the core of our team for the future. And the future, I believe, is brilliant.”

The president also revealed that he is becoming increasingly confident that Benfica will be able to return to a Champions League final, and consolidating the club as one of the most prestigious sides in all of European football.

“We no longer have to sell to balance the accounts.”