The next few weeks promise to be full of decisions for Rui Costa. Last Sunday's defeat in Famalicão (0-2) left Benfica with no objectives to discuss until the end of the season. And, therefore, it is time to start preparing for the new season at the Luz emblem. It will, therefore, be time for major decisions for the incarnate president.

One of the first dossiers to clarify is the one related to the coach. The fans' protest with Roger Schmidt has increased in tone in recent weeks and has worsened with the most recent results. The coach has already made it known that he intends to fulfill the contract that binds him to the eagles until 2026, but the German does not generate consensus in the structure.

"I will stay at Benfica until 2026. I am not on the market, I have a job at Benfica and I love it. I don't want to be invited by anyone. That's clear," said Roger Schmidt, in the preview of the game in Famalicão, this after having been pointed out to Bayern Munich. Rui Costa will, therefore, have to make a firm decision if he wants a change in the team's technical command.

Players at the end of their contracts and possible sales

The uncertainty regarding 2024/25 extends to the definition of the squad. At the top, two of the main players could leave the Luz club next summer. Rafa Silva and Ángel Di María are about to end their contracts and may head to other destinations. The Argentine is available to renew his contract with the eagles, but on the other side of the Atlantic the opportunity arises to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami. The Portuguese, on the other hand, may be seduced by the millions of the Middle Eastern countries. And there is also the situation of Nicolás Otamendi. Although he is not at the end of his contract with the incarnate - the link expires in June 2025 - the Benfica captain may be tempted to return to Argentina to wear the colors of River Plate.

But the departures at Benfica may not end there. If it is almost certain that Juan Bernat will leave Lisbon to return to PSG, the same cannot be said about the also Spanish Álvaro Carreras. Although the eagles' interest in continuing with the left-hander has already been reported, the truth is that this intention has not yet been formalized.

And in this chapter of departures there may be a 'shower' of millions of euros. At the top, António Silva and João Neves are the players who gather the most interest from big clubs that are spread across Europe. However, the 'slimming down' of the squad may not end there. Morato, João Mário, David Neres, Arthur Cabral and Tengstedt are names that may also have their days numbered at the service of the Luz club.

It is therefore expected that it will be a busy summer at Benfica. Rui Costa is called upon to make several fundamental decisions for the future of the club, at a time when there is little more than a year left to return, if he so understands, to be scrutinized by the members in the elections for the presidency of the incarnate.

Leia Também: "O Benfica não pode transformar-se num cemitério de treinadores" (Portuguese version)

Leia Também: Permanência de Roger Schmidt provoca 'cisão' no seio do Benfica (Portuguese version)