A special exhibition celebrating the legendary Italian football team, Grande Torino, is set to open at the Benfica Museum in Lisbon. The event is being organized as part of the inaugural Day of Italian Sport in the World, a global initiative launched by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Collaborating with the Sport Lisboa e Benfica football club, this exhibition, titled “Grande Torino: 75 Years of Legend,” showcases a remarkable collection of memorabilia, curated by Luis Lapão and Andrea Ragusa, in partnership with the Museum of Grande Torino.
For the first time, significant items belonging to Grande Torino will be displayed outside Italy. This exhibition pays homage to a team that made an indelible mark on football history, especially after the tragic events of May 4, 1949. On this fateful day, following a match played in Lisbon, the plane carrying the Grande Torino team back to Italy crashed into the Superga hillside, resulting in the loss of all 31 passengers on board, including players and journalists. The game was a tribute to Francisco Ferreira, the captain of Benfica and the Portuguese national team, who had developed a strong bond with Torino’s own legendary captain, Valentino Mazzola.
The friendship between Mazzola and Ferreira laid the foundation for the clubs’ lasting relationship, which continues to this day. The Superga tragedy not only devastated the football world but also immortalized the Grande Torino team as legends. The impact of their loss extended beyond Italy, touching the global sports community and solidifying their legacy in football history.
The “Grande Torino: 75 Years of Legend” exhibition will be held at Benfica’s iconic Estádio da Luz, with its official opening scheduled for Monday, October 14, 2024. The exhibition will remain open to the public from October 16, 2024, to May 4, 2025, offering visitors a chance to witness a key part of football heritage and celebrate the resilience of a team that remains an enduring symbol of sportsmanship.
This event presents a unique opportunity for fans and history enthusiasts alike to engage with the deep-rooted connection between Italian and Portuguese football while remembering the extraordinary story of the Grande Torino team.