Rui Costa says João Neves sale could still net Benfica millions | OneFootball

João Neves’ transfer - which made headlines at the Ballon d’Or gala - to PSG could reach 70 million euros. This assurance was given by Rui Costa in an interview with CNN, commenting on the departure of the former Benfica player in the summer of 2024. The Eagles’ president also mentioned that there was no other option but to sell the player.

“Benfica was in need at that moment, but at the same time did everything possible to keep João Neves. I understand Benfica fans when they feel he was sold cheaply. Players like him are priceless, but in market terms, it wasn’t like that,” Rui Costa began to explain.

“His sale is already at 66 million euros and could reach 70 million euros. I think that year, in that market, it was Alvarez who left Man. City for At. Madrid, the only more expensive sale,” revealed Rui Costa, giving new details about the deal between Benfica and PSG for João Neves.

“We didn’t have the possibility for him to stay one more year. João didn’t want to leave Benfica, nor did Rui Costa in 1994, but there are things we just can’t keep up with. In João’s case, it was inevitable. It hurts me a lot to lose players like this. We pushed as hard as we could in the transfer of a player,” added Rui Costa.

“Benfica’s transfers have been very high for the reality of Portuguese football, but I can’t find it abnormal that a player might go to a league where he can earn what we simply can’t pay here. It hurts because of his Benfiquismo, because of the way he plays,” Rui Costa concluded, addressing the club’s latest deals.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.