Benfica receives praise in Spain after selling Carreras to Real Madrid: “Best balance sheet in the market, a gold mine”

Portuguese giants hailed for Europe’s most profitable player sales, topping €800 million in transfer surplus

Benfica has once again made headlines in European football not for lifting silverware, but for their incredible efficiency in the transfer market. The latest proof came with the €50 million sale of Álvaro Carreras to Real Madrid, prompting widespread praise from the Spanish press.

Spanish newspaper AS described the Lisbon-based club as “the gold mine of European football” and hailed Benfica as “the best-selling club on the continent.” The outlet noted that Benfica has amassed a net profit of over €800 million in player transfers over the past decade more than any other club in Europe.

“This is another sale from European football’s gold mine,” wrote AS. “Benfica’s management is admired across the footballing world, and its strategy is a model of sustainability and success.”

A Track Record of Blockbuster Sales

The Carreras transfer is just the latest in a long line of high-profile exits from Estádio da Luz. In recent years, Benfica has completed major transfers, including:

• João Félix to Atlético Madrid – €127 million
• Enzo Fernández to Chelsea – €121 million
• Darwin Núñez to Liverpool – €85 million
• Rúben Dias to Manchester City – €71 million

These moves have solidified the club’s reputation as a world-class developer and seller of talent, a status few can rival.

Carreras: A Case Study in Smart Business

Álvaro Carreras, 21, was bought from Manchester United for just €6 million in 2024. Despite a buyback clause, the Red Devils chose not to activate it, allowing Benfica to sell the defender to Real Madrid for nearly eight times the investment.

“Carreras is the perfect example of a ‘made in Benfica’ operation,” AS commented. “A young prospect arrives, develops in elite competitions, and becomes a top-market target. Eventually, a football powerhouse has to pay up.”

Elite Academy Powers the Benfica Machine

Beyond smart signings, much of Benfica’s success lies in its thriving youth academy, which consistently produces top-tier talent. From Bernardo Silva to Renato Sanches and João Cancelo, the club continues to build stars from within.

This sustainable model has allowed Benfica to remain competitive in Europe while generating massive revenue, even as clubs in top-five leagues dominate TV rights and sponsorship income.

Portugal’s Market Dominance: Sporting, Porto, Braga Join the Elite

Benfica isn’t alone in Portugal’s transfer-market dominance. According to AS, Sporting CP ranks 4th in Europe with a surplus of €399 million, FC Porto is 5th with €372 million, and Braga comes in 7th with €261 million in profit.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

• Ajax (Netherlands)
• RB Salzburg (Austria)
• Lille (France)
• PSV (Netherlands)
• Lyon (France)

No club from the Premier League, La Liga, or Bundesliga made the list, reinforcing the idea that clubs in smaller leagues are outperforming their wealthier counterparts in transfer market efficiency.