The Special One” bids emotional farewell as Benfica end Primeira Liga campaign without a single defeat.
LISBON — José Mourinho capped what is widely expected to be his final match in charge of Benfica with a victory on Saturday, guiding the Eagles to a remarkable unbeaten Primeira Liga season — but falling short of the title and Champions League qualification.
Benfica finished the 2025-26 campaign with an impressive record of 23 wins and 11 draws from 34 matches, conceding just 24 goals. The team ended third in the standings on 80 points, behind champions FC Porto (88 points) and runners-up Sporting CP (82 points). As a result, they will enter the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League.
The 63-year-old Portuguese coach, who returned to his boyhood club in September 2025, achieved what few managers manage in a top European league: an “invincibles” campaign. Benfica stood as the only unbeaten side across Europe’s major leagues this season, a feat that drew widespread praise despite the absence of silverware.
Fans serenaded Mourinho after the final whistle in what many believe was his last game at the Estádio da Luz. Reports have strongly linked him with a sensational return to Real Madrid, with an exit clause in his contract allowing him to depart after this season. Benfica president Rui Costa had offered a renewal, but Mourinho’s future remains uncertain as talks with the Spanish giants advance.
In post-match comments, Mourinho expressed pride in his players’ resilience and consistency, even as multiple draws prevented them from challenging more effectively for the title.
The campaign marks another chapter in Mourinho’s storied career, adding an unbeaten league season to his trophy-laden resume that includes multiple titles across Europe’s elite clubs.
