Hostile Fluminense welcome for Jhon Arias on Palmeiras debut after £21.5m Wolves exit | OneFootball

Jhon Arias faced a hostile reception on his Palmeiras debut against former club Fluminense, after leaving Wolves earlier this month in a £21.5m move.

The 28-year-old joined Palmeiras after a short spell at Molineux, having arrived from Fluminense in the summer. According to ExpressAndStar.com, the backlash was linked to comments he made before moving to the Premier League.

At the time, he said: "I will come back to Fluminense, and I say that with complete peace. One of the greatest lessons my grandfather and parents taught me is to be loyal to what you feel. There’s nothing in the world, no amount of money, that can buy your essence, your values."

Home supporters chanted at him during the warm-up, some waved fake banknotes bearing his face, and a banner labelled him a traitor while referencing the Tietê river in São Paulo.

Arias came on as a second-half substitute and Palmeiras won 2-1.

Team-mate Joaquin Piquerez said: "I think all players are professionals. We didn’t know what Arias was thinking, but he already imagined this situation. He doesn’t have to give it importance. Jhon helped Fluminense a lot, gave them many titles, the most important in their history. Today he is with us and will defend our colours."

Source: ExpressAndStar.com