Born in Lisbon and educated both in England and Portugal, Borges Coutinho became a member of Benfica in 1959, aged 37.

During his eight-year presidency (four consecutive biennal terms), the football team won seven Primeira Liga titles (personal record)[3][4] – one of them without defeat, in the 1972–73 campaign – and three Taça de Portugal trophies.

Under Borges Coutinho's term, in 1969, Benfica took possession of lands near their stadium, Estádio da Luz, to create three football pitches, one synthetic athletics track, and eight tennis courts.

He was awarded with the Águia de Ouro (Golden Eagle) by the club in 1973.

[5] Borges Coutinho died at the age of 59 in Greater London, England.