Why does Benfica have 3 stars on its crest if it has only won the European Cup twice?

Benfica is one of the most storied clubs in European soccer – a towering institution with one of the brightest legacies in the game. The trophies lining its cabinets run into the dozens, including two European Cups (1960-61 and 1961-62) won by that legendary side led by the “Black Panther,”Eusébio.

Yet the three stars that adorn the club’s crest have nothing to do with those iconic continental triumphs.

In 2012, the Lisbon club formally requested the addition of stars to its badge as a way of commemorating its domestic success, having captured 32 league titles at that point. The idea was simple: one star stitched onto the jersey for every 10 league championships won. Nearly 15 years later, the Eagles are closing in on a fourth star after raising their tally to 38 national titles.

A footballing tradition shaped by local rules

Unlike some clubs that use a single star to mark a Champions League title – as is the case with Olympique de Marseille – the more common practice links stars to domestic dominance. In Germany, for instance, stars are awarded based on league totals: three, five, 10, 20 and 30 titles trigger additional markers. That is why Bayern Munich display five stars for their 34 Bundesliga crowns, while Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach each have two, and VfB Stuttgart one.

Across the Atlantic, the approach shifts dramatically. In Argentina, Boca Juniors boast 74 stars to represent every single trophy won in their history. Rosario Central, meanwhile, will unveil an eighth star this season after claiming the regular league title.

Brazil offers yet another variation. Grêmio feature three stars in different colors: gold to commemorate the 1983 Intercontinental Cup, silver for their Copa América triumphs (1983, 1995 and 2017), and bronze for domestic championships (1981, 1996 and Copa do Brasil titles). In short, the meaning of those stars is anything but universal – it depends entirely on the country and, often, the club itself.

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