Rui Costa has had to put out another flame since being re-elected at Benfica, and it’s from an unlikely source – Joao Felix.
Felix, the fourth most expensive footballer in history, has been nothing short of a disaster since leaving Benfica for Atletico Madrid as a teenager for €126million in 2019.
Having fallen out with Diego Simeone, unsuccessful stints at Chelsea and Barcelona followed before he moved away from the big time with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
Now speaking with Sport TV, he’s said he wanted to return to Benfica for the last three summers.
“What made me come [to Al Nassr] was the club’s desire to have me,” he said.
“The truth is that I was about to return to Benfica for the last three summers, it was always my wish and I always told my agents that, but there was never a serious interest from the club, I don’t know from whom…
“The opportunity never arose, not because of transfer fees or salary, nothing to do with that, it was always because of a lack of willingness on the other side.
“Meanwhile, Al Nassr came forward with more interest and, when that happens, we can’t refuse.”
Rui Costa publicly admitted Benfica were negotiating with Chelsea during the summer just gone, but claimed the Eagles were ‘very close to finalising a deal’ until Felix considered a late offer from Saudi ‘irresistible’.
With Felix clearly contradicting that earlier analysis, Costa has been forced to confront the comments.
“I’m very sorry that João said something like that, especially for him,” he said.
“If it depended on Benfica’s will, he would have been at Benfica for three years already. I don’t want to elaborate because I want to respect João; he’s a homegrown player, for whom I have the utmost respect.
“I hope that one day he will wear the Benfica jersey again. I’m really sorry that he made these statements.
“He will have to say what it means to him for a club to do everything to bring him home. In these three years, probably Chelsea, Barcelona, Milan, and now Saudi Arabia wanted him more than Benfica, probably yes.
“Benfica’s structure did everything to bring João to Benfica and did much more than it normally does.
“I respect João very much. I’m very sorry that he said what he said. There’s always an open door for good players to return to Benfica. He’s not disrespecting the club,” said the Benfica president.
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