Jose Mourinho has completed an unbeaten league season with Benfica. The team is the first in Europe this century to achieve this while failing to win the league title. Benfica beat Estoril 3-1 in their final match. This secured their undefeated run for the 2025-2026 Primeira Liga season. They recorded 23 wins and 11 draws. No defeats marred their league campaign.
Despite this incredible performance, Benfica ended the season in third place. They finished with 80 points. Champions Porto secured the title with 88 points. Sporting CP finished second with 82 points. The victory over Estoril might be Mourinho's last game for Benfica. He is reportedly in advanced talks with Real Madrid. This would be his second stint at the Spanish club.
This situation is not entirely new for Benfica. In the 1977-1978 season, the club also went unbeaten in the league. They were still pipped to the title by Porto. This happened on goal difference, despite Porto drawing two fewer games. Mourinho's Benfica joins an elite club of teams like FC Sheriff in Moldova and Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. These clubs have also experienced title disappointment despite an undefeated league campaign.
Experts point to the high level of competition in the Portuguese league. Teams often achieve strong unbeaten streaks. However, consistency over the entire season is crucial for title success. The financial implications for clubs finishing lower down, even with perfect runs, can be significant in terms of prize money and European qualification bids. Winning the league title secures automatic entry into lucrative European competitions, a major source of income for clubs.
Benfica's finish outside the top two means they will likely miss out on direct qualification for next season's Champions League. This could impact their transfer budget and player retention strategies. The club's management will need to navigate potential financial shortfalls. Fans will be watching to see if Mourinho departs. His potential move to Real Madrid could trigger a significant managerial search for Benfica. The club's performance in the coming transfer window will be closely scrutinised.