Rui Costa takes on responsibilities and promises zero tolerance in officiating.

Rui Costa ignited the General Assembly of Benfica by asserting, without any doubt, that Andreas Schjelderup will never wear the Club Brugge jersey. The president’s promise put all market speculations to rest and made it clear that the eagles do not intend to part with what has become the most valuable asset of the squad.

The conclusion of the 2025/26 season was marked this Saturday during a democratic marathon at Luz, where Rui Costa faced, eye to eye, the most discontented members and supporters. The session, which lasted for hours, was characterized by incisive questions about the sporting failure, in a tense atmosphere of maximum demand. The president took responsibility for the “terrible season” and promised profound changes, emphasizing that “from now on there is zero tolerance with refereeing,” in a direct message aimed at Pedro Proença and those responsible for the sector. The promise of greater institutional combativeness comes in response to the hostile environment in national football and serves as a shield for a management team pressured for results.

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The main concern of the shareholders focused, unsurprisingly, on the senior men’s football team. Rui Costa was interrupted several times by dissatisfied fans demanding explanations for the substantial investment and the team’s third place in the standings. The president detailed the mistakes made and hinted at imminent reinforcements: “A central defender is arriving in the coming days, and another winger is on the way,” he revealed, trying to calm the supporters. Nonetheless, the dissent did not wane, especially due to the lack of updates on the squad — so far, only Gabriel Índio has been officially presented. Benfica fans, accustomed to seeing millions invested, now want proportional results and substitutions that make a difference on the pitch.

The big moment of the night arrived when the Schjelderup saga was addressed. The young Norwegian, who exploded in the second half of the season and scored a decisive goal against Real Madrid, quickly became a key player and the target of international interest. Club Brugge attempted to entice Benfica with an offer of eight million euros, but Rui Costa was adamant: “Never!” he exclaimed to a standing ovation. “We would only sell him at that time for 20 million. I swear,” the president assured, with a firmness not seen since the days of Mário Lino. The reaction was clear: it would be easier to build an airport in Alcochete than for Schjelderup to join Club Brugge.

When questioned about market pressure and the need to balance the books, Rui Costa reiterated the intention to retain the main talents. “Benfica is not a seller out of necessity, but rather out of opportunity,” he stated. Schjelderup, now valued and idolized by the fans, represents a symbol of hope for the upcoming season and a strategic asset in the eagles’ sports project.

The coming days promise to be decisive in the planning of the squad: the arrival of reinforcements is eagerly anticipated, but the retention of key figures, such as Schjelderup, is viewed as an absolute priority. The stakes have been raised, and Rui Costa knows he is under constant scrutiny. A failure similar to last season’s could cost him not only the trust of the fans but also the stability of the management. The promise of “zero tolerance” and a more interventionist leadership may provoke further controversy, but it could also galvanize the Luz for a title reclaim.

The inflexible stance on Schjelderup was undoubtedly the most significant moment of the General Assembly, sending a clear message: Benfica is willing to fight for what is theirs, both on and off the pitch. The eagles now enter a crucial phase of the transfer market, where every decision could define the course of the season and Rui Costa’s own legacy at the helm of the club.

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