“It is with deep shock that Sport Lisbon e Benfica mourns the death of Minervino Pietra at the age of 70. A man with a historical connection to the club, an example of dedication and enormous support for Benfica, both on and off the field, has left. in the structure of the club. football. He devoted more than half of his life to Benfica as a player, analyst, and later as a permanent coach of several technical teams of the club’s professional football team,” you can read.
Minervinho Pietra represented Benfica between 1976 and 1987 as a player, during which time he won four national championships (1976/77, 1980/81, 1982/83 and 1983/84), five Portuguese Cups (1979/80 , 1980/81, 1982/83, 1984/85 and 1985/86) and two Super Cups for Candido de Oliveira (1980 and 1985). The former Portugal international later returned to the club as an observer and assistant coach. He began working as an observer in 2007, moving into an assistant role when Jorge Jesus became Reds coach in the 2009/10 season. He bid farewell to Benfica for the 2021/22 season, which also saw the departure of Jorge Jesus after his second spell with the Eagles.
Benfica statement:
“It is with deep shock that Sport Lisbon and Benfica mourns the death of Minervino Pietra at the age of 70.
A man has left who has a historical connection with the club, an example of dedication and great Benficaism, both on the field and in the structure of football.
He dedicated more than half of his life to Benfica as a player, analyst, and then permanent coach of several technical teams of the club’s professional football team.
He was always an outstanding athlete, both as a player for Benfica and the Seleção and as a coach, inspiring players through his example and the mystique he always instilled in young players.
He arrived at the club in 1976 and only left Benfica in 2022, with Benfica never leaving him. As a player he played 227 games and scored 19 goals. It was led by coaches such as John Mortimore, Mario Wilson, Lajos Barothy or Sven-Göran Eriksson. His experience as an elite footballer shaped his profile as a coach.
Sport Lisbon and Benfica will do everything to perpetuate the memory of an excellent professional and a man of rare character. Minervino Pietra will always be recognized as one of ours, the bearer and guardian of mysticism.
To the family of Minervino Pietra, Sport Lisboa e Benfica expresses its deepest condolences,” the statement said.