By Melody Gross 
Former footballer Minervino Petra, former right-back for Benfica and the Portuguese national team, has died at the age of 70, Club da Luz announced on Thursday in a statement on its official website.
“It is with deep concern that Benfica mourns the passing of Minervino Pietra, at the age of 70. “A man with a historic connection to the club, an example of dedication and the tremendous Benfica spirit, both on the pitch and in the footballing structure, has passed away,” the Reds’ note said.
Petra played 26 matches and scored one goal for Portugal, and played a total of 227 matches with Benfica and scored 19 goals, after starting his career at Belenenses Club, all during the seventies and eighties of the last century.
After finishing his playing career, he coached Petra Alverca, Estoril Praia, Juventud de Évora and Barreense, in addition to being an assistant at Boavista and Belenenses, but since 2007/2008, he has always been linked to Benfica, as far as being an analyst. “Resident coach of several professional team technical teams” by “incarnad0s”.
He added: “Benfica will do everything in its power to perpetuate the memory of an excellent professional player and a man of rare character. Minervino Pietra will always be recognized as one of us, the bearer and mentor of mysticism. “To the family of Minervino Pietra, Benfica extends its deepest condolences,” he reinforced the Lisbon motto, without revealing The cause of death of the former football player.
While serving for the national team, Petra scored his only goal on 14 October 1981, specifically at the Estadio da Luz, in a defeat against Sweden (2-1), in the qualifiers for the 1982 World Cup.