The controversy surrounding Joe Berardo and Rui Costa seems to have died down. Joe Berardo has already apologized, and Benfica and Rui Costa put out press releases, so this controversy seems over. But this was certainly a case where Berardo lost a few popularity points with the Benfica community.

Joe Berardo is going heads over heals to let the “Benfiquista” community know that he is doing this to help Benfica and not to make money. He has repeatedly stated that he wants Benfica to be European champion again in the near future, and that Benfica should invest in young, promising players (side note: he should have taken this attitude a little sooner and we could have signed Robinho who ended up going to Real Madrid).

We will have to wait a couple of weeks to see where this will take us. One thing is for sure, this season will start in less than a week for SL Benfica, and regardless of the outcome of the buyout offer, it won´t impact whom Benfica signs this season. At least not until December.