Former Barcelona and Benfica player Nolito told the Daily Marca about Wednesday’s meeting between the two teams in the second round of the Champions League group stage.
The Spanish player revealed what led him to leave Barcelona for Benfica when the Catalans offered to renew it. “Because Benfica offered me five years and Barcelona only two. I already had a daughter, and we thought that the contract offered by the Portuguese club practically decided our life, “he began with the words:” And, to be honest, I saw more opportunities to play at Benfica than at Barcelona. …
When asked what has more weight – economic or sports, Nolito replied: “Both. The economic issue was very important. A year earlier, I wanted to renew with Barcelona, but I was refused. Then they changed their minds and offered me a two-year contract in the main team. “
“Of course, the ability to play was important. I would go to Benfica, which is a major player in Europe, who played in the Champions League and aimed to win their League. So I said to myself: “Let’s see if I’m lucky to play, because at Barcelona I know I won’t play,” he stressed, speaking after his spell at the Reds.
“This is a great club, one of the largest in the world. The fans, the stadium, all the facilities are amazing. I can only say miracles about Benfica. I was very happy. Besides, I played a lot in sports and I think I scored 14 or 15 goals in the first year. “
What happened in the second season? “I lost the ‘feeling’ that I had with Jorge Jesus. I didn’t play as much as I wanted and ended up on loan to Granada and then Celta, ”he recalled.
