With the first confrontation of the season between Benfica and Porto looming, we give you a brief review of these few players who have donned the colors of both teams.
This Wednesday, Benfica Eagles will meet Porto Dragons in Aveiro, on the occasion of the Supertaça de Portugal. If this historic confrontation between the two biggest clubs in the country will turn into an advantage CarnadosBenfica defender Nicholas Otamendi Thus raising this new trophy before the eyes of its former leaders.
Having passed FC Porto upon his arrival on European soil, the Argentine world champions are not the first to wear the two shirts.
1. Nicholas Otamendi
It is really under the colors of FC Porto that he is the heart of the Argentine defence Nicholas Otamendi It was a great debut in Europe. Coming from Velez Sarsfield in 2010, the Buenos Aires native celebrated his time in Portugal, winning three consecutive league titles with the ranks of Dragões.
A new exhibition, which significantly opened the doors to the best European tournaments. after Porto, Nicholas Otamendi He developed successively in Valencia, and then in Manchester City, where he also won the championship.
Therefore, nearing the end of his career, the Argentine decided to return to Portugal, this time to wear the colors of Benfica. If his arrival aroused some resentment among the supporters reddishthe defender who came to replace him Robin Dias She managed to convince everyone, especially by contributing to the title of Portuguese champion, who won in 2023.
2. Maximiliano Pereira
Maximiliano Pereira He went in the opposite direction. And he did so without hesitation. After playing nearly 330 matches in the red jersey for Benfica, with whom he won three titles in the Portuguese League, the Uruguayan international decided to end his relationship with Benfica fans, to become a player in Porto in the summer of 2015.
A highly criticized choice, which still allowed the Uruguayan right-hand side to win an additional league title in the blue-and-white jersey.
3. Christian Rodriguez
Also from Uruguay, he also knew SL Benfica before joining FC Porto in a big way. However, after only one short season spent in the ranks of the Lisbon club, Christian Rodriguez did not have time to make the same impression as his compatriot. Maxi Pereira.
in benfica, Christian Rodriguez Nevertheless he achieved a convincing exercise, despite the lack of a collective trophy. His move to Porto in 2008, due to various disagreements between his representatives and the Benfica management, allowed the Uruguay international to take on a whole new dimension.
In Porto, the Uruguayan won three national championship titles, but also the European League at the end of an exceptional 2010-2011 season, orders from some Andre Villas-Boas. The following year, the player also passed through Paris Saint-Germain and left Portugal forever, joining Atletico Madrid.
4. Manish
The Portuguese passed the training schools of SL Benfica, in Lisbon Manish experienced its first successes. he returned to Carnados In 1999, the midfielder played nearly sixty matches for Benfica, before his former coach contacted him. Jose MourinhoTo accompany him to FC Porto.
And under the orders of the one who will become the discerner, this is a profession Manish I literally exploded. The Portuguese won the championship twice in 2003 and 2004, and also participated in the historic coronation of Porto in the Champions League during the 2003-2004 season. Remarkable performance, which allowed him to assert himself in the Portuguese selection, which helped him reach the final of Euro 2004, in particular by appearing in the tournament’s standard squad.
Image credit: IconSport
After studying at Business School, Alexandre Ribeiro launched Trivela.fr in 2019 and now runs it alongside his assistants. Passionate about Portuguese football as a whole, and especially the Portugal national team, he with all his energy and involvement brings this media to life on a daily basis.
