Mourinho Ends Benfica’s Unbeaten League Campaign Without Title

Jose Mourinho completed an extraordinary unbeaten league season with Benfica, but the Portuguese giants were forced to settle for third place in the Primeira Liga despite failing to lose a single match throughout the campaign.

Benfica sealed a 3-1 victory over Estoril in their final league game of the season, ensuring they finished the 2025/2026 campaign undefeated with 23 wins and 11 draws from 34 matches.

However, Mourinho’s side ended the season on 80 points, eight behind champions Porto and two adrift of second-placed Sporting Lisbon, in one of the most unusual title races in recent European football history.

The result means Benfica became one of the rare clubs in modern football to complete an entire domestic league season unbeaten without winning the championship.

Mourinho’s men struggled with the number of drawn matches accumulated during the campaign, which ultimately proved costly in the title race despite their impressive defensive consistency and resilience.

The achievement places Benfica alongside Moldovan club FC Sheriff and Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade among the few European teams this century to remain unbeaten in a league season yet fail to secure the title.

It is also not the first time Benfica have suffered such heartbreak. During the 1977/78 season, the Lisbon side similarly completed the campaign without defeat but lost the title to Porto on goal difference.

The campaign could nevertheless mark the end of Mourinho’s short but memorable tenure at Benfica. The veteran manager is reportedly close to finalising a return to Real Madrid, 13 years after leaving the Spanish giants following his first spell in charge.

Mourinho joined Benfica last September on a two-year contract and quickly transformed the team into one of the most difficult sides to beat in Europe. His tactical discipline, defensive organisation and winning mentality helped Benfica remain unbeaten domestically and competitive across all competitions.

Despite missing out on the league crown, Mourinho received widespread praise from supporters and football analysts for restoring stability and ambition to the club.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is believed to be keen on bringing Mourinho back to the Santiago Bernabeu as the club prepares for another rebuilding phase ahead of next season.

Should the move materialise, Mourinho would depart Benfica having achieved a remarkable but bittersweet record that will remain part of Portuguese football history.