The Curse of Benfica: Bela Guttmann’s Legendary Spell

Think curses aren’t real? Maybe you’ve laughed off superstitions and dismissed them as nonsense. But after you hear about the shocking curse that has haunted Benfica Lisbon for decades, you might just rethink your stance on these mysterious forces!

The Rise of Bela Guttmann: From Hungary to Benfica

Bela Guttmann, born into a Hungarian Jewish family, started his football career as a defender with MTK Hungaria FC, winning the Hungarian League in 1920 and 1921. Due to the rise of antisemitism, he fled to Austria in 1922, where he joined the Jewish club SC Hakoah Wien. In 1925, they won the Austrian League.

During a U.S. tour in 1926, Guttmann stayed in America, playing for the Brooklyn Wanderers and New York Giants in the American Soccer League. His football career was briefly derailed when he lost everything in the 1929 Wall Street Crash. Yet, Guttmann wasn’t just a footballer—he had a diploma in psychology and was even a certified dance instructor at 16.

Paid in Vegetables in Romania

In 1932, Guttmann returned to Europe, coaching in Austria, the Netherlands, and Hungary. He won the Hungarian League and the Mitropa Cup with Újpest FC in 1939. However, the introduction of anti-Jewish laws cost him his job. During WWII, Guttmann survived forced labor and escaped before being sent to Auschwitz.

In 1946, he took a peculiar job in Romania with Ciocanul București, where he requested his salary be paid in vegetables due to food shortages. He didn’t last long, though, as corruption within the club pushed him to leave. Journalist Hardy Grune later noted Guttmann’s disillusionment with Romanian football.

"I’m Neither a Criminal Nor a Homosexual"

After coaching stints across Europe, Guttmann made his mark in Italy, managing AC Milan in 1953. Despite leading the team to the top of Serie A, he was shockingly fired. During his press conference, he famously quipped, “I was sacked even though I’m neither a criminal nor a homosexual. Goodbye.”

This dismissal led Guttmann to demand a contract clause in future jobs that prevented clubs from firing him if the team was leading the league—a clause that became a trend in modern football.

The "Wizard of Benfica" Declares: No Sex Before Matches!

In 1958, Guttmann arrived in Portugal, taking charge of Benfica Lisbon and transforming the club into a European powerhouse. Under his leadership, Benfica won back-to-back European Cups in 1961 and 1962. Guttmann’s innovative tactics and emphasis on physical and mental preparation were groundbreaking. One of his more shocking rules? He forbade his players from having sex before matches.

But in 1962, a financial dispute led to Guttmann’s abrupt departure. His request for a well-deserved raise was denied, and in his frustration, he left the club with a chilling curse: “Benfica will never win another European Cup.”

That curse has stood the test of time. Since his departure, Benfica has lost every European final they’ve reached.

Eusebio’s Desperate Plea

In 1963, AC Milan dethroned Benfica, with Inter Milan following suit two years later. In a last-ditch effort to break the curse, Benfica’s legendary player, Eusebio, visited Guttmann’s grave in Vienna, where the coach was buried in 1981. He prayed for forgiveness and hoped to lift the curse—but it didn’t work.

A Billion-Dollar Club Without Trophies

Despite making nearly €1.5 billion in transfers over the past two decades—selling stars like Di Maria, Ederson, Joao Felix, and Enzo Fernandez—Benfica hasn’t reclaimed the glory of winning the Champions League or Europa League. Sixty-two years later, Guttmann’s curse still lingers over this beloved club.

Had the club’s leaders known what the future held, they probably would have handed over the money Guttmann requested. If not, they might have at least tried their luck at betting, hoping for better odds than facing the wrath of a football legend’s curse.