The winger will leave the Eagles at the end of the season and wants to thank the fans for all their support.
António M. Pereira 01:30
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• Photo: PEDRO NUNES/ reuters
Rafa and João Mário
At the end of his contract with the Eagles, everything indicates that the winger will end a cycle in his career. And what a career. He is on the verge of completing his 500th game (for the main teams serving Feirense, Sp. Braga and Benfica), against the opponent who supported him on his debut for the Eagles: Arouca.
After winning three championships, a Portuguese Cup and three Super Cups, Rafa is preparing to say goodbye to Benfica. The desire to continue with an eagle on his chest is great, but he has the possibility of signing the contract of his life at the age of 30. He is coveted by several clubs, but two, both from Saudi Arabia, have already made proposals. These are Al Shabab (coached by the Portuguese Vítor Pereira) and Al Ettifaq. Proposals impossible to match for Benfica.
The player knows what CMhas emotionally accused this moment of farewell, but will take advantage of it to thank the fans for all the affection he has received over these eight years.
Rafa, who cost Benfica 16.4 million euros in 2016 (signed from Sp. Braga), has already scored 92 goals for Clube da Luz in the 325 games he played. In addition to Arouca, he can also close the season with Rio Ave, in Vila do Conde.
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Bologna interested
Bologna will move towards signing Jurásek and, according to ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’, Benfica has already set the price: 10 million euros. The Eagles thus assume a loss of 4 million euros, as they paid 14 million euros for the Czech left-back.
Torches in Famalicão
The FPF Disciplinary Council opened an investigation into Famalicão-Benfica following the torches thrown onto the pitch. The Eagles were also fined 1224 euros for the fans’ incorrect behavior.
Tags: Rafa returns starting lineup bids farewell Luz Football
