João Gabriel, former director of communication of incarnates, revealed, through social networks, that the City Council of Lisbon will have given a negative opinion to the project of reformulation of the Stadium of Light that was presented months ago by Benfica.
© Benfica
27/09/2026
by
João Gabriel, former director of communication of Benfica, revealed through his social networks, early this Sunday afternoon, that the City Council of Lisbon, which is led by Carlos Coins, will have failed the Benfica District.
Presented at the end of last year as one of the electoral ‘bandeiras’ of the current president of the eagles, Rui Costa, the Benfica District predicted a total ‘revolution’, not only of the Stadium of Light, but also of the entire surrounding area. But apparently, that plan will have to be postponed.
Through an extensive publication on the LinkedIn social network, John Gabriel gave knowledge of the negative opinion to the project, stressing that it should not be seen as “a problem, but rather as an opportunity” and that it is time to “put the Light back at the center of the project”.
“ That was, from the very first moment, my main reservation regarding the Benfica District. The project was born in the context of an electoral campaign, presented with impressive images, but without being sufficiently clarified basic issues for an investment of this dimension: the definitive model of financing, economic viability, associated risks and, above all, the hierarchy of priorities”, he stressed.
Contacted by Sports to MinuteBenfica's official source denies this information. The club of Luz stressed that the final project was delivered to the City Council of Lisbon on 18 September with a series of changes suggested by the municipality itself.
Check out the full publication of John Gabriel:
“The opportunity of a lead
I've never been against ambition. Especially when it comes to Benfica. Benfica has an obligation to anticipate the future, to seek new sources of revenue, to think big. But thinking big cannot mean starting with the accessory before solving the essentials.
That was, from the very first moment, my main reservation regarding the Benfica District. The project was born in the context of an electoral campaign, presented with impressive images, but without sufficiently clarified basic issues for an investment of this dimension: the definitive model of financing, economic viability, associated risks and, above all, the hierarchy of priorities.
Before we build a “District” around the Light, perhaps we should take care of the Light itself. The Stadium has more than two decades and needs a deep intervention to prepare it for the next twenty years. It needs more comfort, better access, better hospitality areas, better services and to continue to increase its capacity.
But above all, it needs to stop being an asset primarily used in game days. That's where the real ambition should be for me.
A total coverage and a retractable lawn solution would allow you to turn the Stadium of Light into a great stage of shows, concerts and events throughout the year. Instead of seeking profitability by building more around the stadium, start by increasing the profitability of the stadium itself.
It's a difference of priorities.
The Lisbon City Council gave a negative opinion on the project. I hope this lead is not seen as a problem, but rather as an opportunity.
An opportunity to stop, reassess and concentrate investment in the essentials. Before building a new city around the Light, perhaps it is time to put the Light back at the center of the project.”
[News updated at 4:49 p.m., with Benfica's official position]