An Auction for “O Clássico”

When we talk about Portuguese soccer, two names instantly come to mind: SL Benfica and FC Porto. No historical account of the Primeira Liga would be complete without an exhaustive description of these clubs and the rivalry between them.

It is an old rivalry - very old. It dates back to 1912, before the creation of the first European cup, before even the creation of the first Primeira Liga, when the clubs met for a friendly in the city of Porto. Fast-forward to 2023, and there have now been 222 total meetings, including some of the most entertaining matches ever to take place on a soccer field.

The results have varied over the years, with both teams dominating at different points in time, but what has remained unchanged is the fervor inspired by a derby. In Portugal, the matches are referred to as “O Clássico,” and watching them, it’s easy to understand why. When these two sporting titans go head-to-head, it doesn’t feel like a game; it feels like a battle.

Passions are always running high between Benfica and Porto, but right now fans have more reason than usual to feel the rivalry, as the 2022-23 season saw major trophies split between the two clubs. Benfica won the Primeira Liga; Porto won the Taça da Liga. Which means that this derby match, the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, will inevitably be seen as the place to settle the question of who currently has the stronger squad.

It also means that this is the ideal moment for us to announce our first auction for both teams involved.  In recent years, the Portuguese league has established itself as one of the most impressive leagues in international soccer, so naturally we are thrilled to have partnered with two of its leading powerhouses. From kickoff, fans can begin placing bids on two collections of jerseys: match-issued ones for Porto and match-worn ones for Benfica.

This derby promises to be an unforgettable game, but of course that’s just a turn of phrase. All memories fade—unlike the fabric in your hand or the jersey framed on your wall.