Sport Lisboa e Benfica has announced a transformative partnership with the Mediterranean College of Sport in Malta, solidifying its commitment to global football youth development. This landmark collaboration, formalized this week, signifies a pivotal move in SL Benfica's overarching strategy for international expansion.
The comprehensive agreement spans five years, reflecting SL Benfica's dedication to fostering athletic and academic growth. The collaboration entails the establishment of an international school in Malta, where SL Benfica's renowned coordinator will spearhead the football program.
The agreement was signed at the SL Benfica Head Quarters in Lisbon. Pio Vassallo, Chairperson of MCS and Charlo Bonnici, CEO of MCS signed on behalf of the Mediterranean College of Sport whereas Rui Manuel César Costa, President of the board of directors of SL Benfica and Luís Paulo da Silva Mendes, Vice-President at SL Benfica signed on behalf of the Portuguese club. Present for the signing were also Natalie Briffa Farrugia, Chairperson of Vassallo Group and MCS director and George Micallef MCS’s Director of Sport Development.
As part of this agreement student-athletes at MCS will also be reviewed and assessed in Portugal by Sport Lisboa e Benfica, students will participate in Sport Lisboa e Benfica tournaments in Portugal, and may also be able to register in the Benfica International Elite Program and participate in internships offered by the Portuguese academy.
SL Benfica has forged numerous partnerships across the globe. In Luxembourg and Lithuania, Benfica has established football schools to nurture talent and promote the sport. In terms of technical partnerships, Benfica has joined forces with FC Pyramids in Egypt, Al Nasr SC in the UAE, Eastwood Community FC in the UK, Coimbra Sports in Brazil, FC Sudamerica in the USA, and Sreenidi Deccan FC in India. Furthermore, Benfica has inked collaborative agreements with FC Dallas and Gotham FC in the USA.
Benfica has won the award for best academy in the world three times at the prestigious Globe Soccer Awards in the United Arab Emirates. Nestled within the state-of-the-art Benfica Campus, this renowned institution has honed the skills of countless young athletes, nurtured their potential and propelling them onto the global stage.
The Mediterranean College of Sport, wholly owned by the Vassallo Group, stands as a strategic partner in this venture. The distinguished delegation, featuring the CEOs of the Vassallo Group and the College, highlights the significance of this collaboration.
The Mediterranean College of Sport opens its doors next September. The school is located within the St Aloysius Sports Complex in Birkirkara. The complex will now incorporate two football pitches, a newly refurbished multi-sport pavilion, a gymnastics hall, two dance studios, two padel courts, a 25 metre pool, a sport performance centre, a hostel for athletes, an eatery as well other facilities to host other sports.