This was an odd season in Portugal – Porto was champion, Sporting second (as usual), but Benfica finished in 4th, behind Vitoria SC who managed to get third place. Leiria was bottom of the league, and Boavista got relegated via administration (“Caso Mateus”).
But we are here for the stickers! Sorry, I get dragged along when I speak about Portuguese football. Here are my top 10 picks for the year.
The Panini Futebol 2007-2008 Complete Album
10 – Miguel Vítor Rookie Sticker – #357
This was the debut season of Miguel Vitor, whom people thought he could pair up with Luisão, as the other Benfica CB. He spent most of his career in Israel. He’s now an Israeli international.
9 – Fábio Coentrão Rookie Sticker – #55
Coentrão’s peak was with Real Madrid, back in the early 2010s. He was Marcelo’s back at that time. He was part of the team that won the Champions league in 2014, oddly enough, at the Stadium of Benfica. He’s now retired.
8 – Beto Rookie Sticker – #123
Don’t let this man fool you. He was great behind the sticks! Part of 4(!!) Europa League teams that won it all. He was apart of the 2010 and 2014 World Cup squads, and also won the 2019 Nations League with Portugal.
7 – Freddy Adu Rookie Sticker – #360
We all know who Freddy Adu is. The chosen one. The American Pele. Sadly, his career did not follow the path people thought it would (although I blame Benfica for his loan out to Monaco). Don’t forget that, in the 2007-08 season, he was better than Di Maria. This sticker marks his European “debut”.
6 – Oscar Cardozo – #58 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Apertura 2006 (Argentina)
The goal scoring machine. He scored 172 goals for Benfica – making him the top foreign goalscorer of Benfica. He still balls out in Paraguay, close to the age of 40, scoring his trademark cheeky free-kicks. He even scored 4 in a game the other day.
5 – João Moutinho – #344 – First International Sticker – Rookie Sticker from Panini Futebol 2005-2006
This edition of Panini Futebol, featured an insert set, dedicated to the national team. Some players were featured in the national team kit. This marks the debut of João Moutinho, a player that was breaking into the international team.
4 – Rui Costa Final Sticker of Career – #55 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Futebol 1992-1993
In 2008, Rui Costa retired from football. He did so on his boyhood team, Benfica. This is his last Panini Futebol issued sticker – something that collectors like about. He’s the current Benfica president.
3 – Cristiano Ronaldo – #348 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Futebol 2002-2003
Similar to Moutinho, CR7 is also featured in the set (as often he does). He’s considered to be one of the GOATs, so it’s a must in this list. This sticker is also quite popular here in Portugal. I’ve seen a couple of deals going around this sticker.
2 – David Luiz Rookie Sticker – #47
A great hidden gem found by Benfica’s scouting department. He came in from Brazil, from the third division (Serie C) and debuted vs PSG in the UEFA cup, where he had a bad game. But by 2008 he bounced back and was a regular at Benfica. He’s arguably one of the greatest CBs of Brazil in the past decade. Part of the team that won the UCL in 2012 with Chelsea.
1 – Ángel Di María Rookie Sticker – #53
Angel Di Maria is the best rookie sticker in Panini Futebol 2007-2008.
The best sticker form this set is a young Angel Di Maria. Came in from Rosario, with a price tag of 6M€ (a lot back then) but did not impress in the first year. But, at the Olympics in Beijing 2008 he scored the game winning goal in the gold final, securing the gold for Argentina (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skrXeFbU1mE). He also scored in the 2021 Copa America final (https://youtu.be/skrXeFbU1mE?t=32), securing the win for Argentina and scored a goal in the 2022 World Cup final (https://youtu.be/zhEWqfP6V_w?t=18). If you told a young Di Maria, by 2007, what he had in store for his career, I don’t believe he would listen to you.
Now I leave you guys with my favorite Di Maria Benfica goal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok4m5N4btRc
Summary
And that’s it folks! I know it’s a heavy Benfica side, but I do believe this was and is one of Benfica’s best hobby years. Let me know what you think
O Hobby out!
