Gabigol explains what failed in Benfica: “I no longer liked Portugal”

Gabriel Barbosa granted, this Friday, an extensive interview to the brazilian portal Globesport, in which he addressed several topics, starting immediately with the reasons why he failed in European football, first at the service of Internazionale (one goal in ten games) and then Benfica (one shot in five matches).

“ Of course I can't be a liar and say football isn't a business either. Of course you always try to do the best thing for your family. Santos has the music, the Village Boys, the offensive DNA... I'm in my town, I love playing for Santos. When I was in Flamengo, I saw all the Santos games ", started by affirming.

“It is an identification, perhaps, of the actual human being, of Gabriel. With Flamengo, it's the same thing, it's the fans, the crowded Maracanã, the equipment... I think Flamengo's sweater is beautiful. I felt pretty good going to the Maracanã. I saw in the fans something that was different. I liked it very much when we won the game and, the other day, everyone was dressed in Flamengo, so I went to practice, I saw everyone in Flamengo's sweater and it made me very happy ", continued.

“ The kids were doing my celebration, blonde hair... The people of Rio [de Janeiro] always treated me very well. It's something you're looking for. Maybe Inter and Benfica didn't happen that much. My dad loved it when I was in Benfica. I didn't like Portugal anymore. Only, in Rio and here in Santos, it's all perfect. There's also a beach. I'm starting to think I'm only good at beach teams. I really like the beach, too”, completed.

“ I thought I would have more opportunities in Benfica, it was a team in a Portuguese championship, the language would not disturb me...”

Gabigol (a nickname for which he is known) also took responsibility for the fact that, on the Old Continent, everything did not go as it intended: “Inter made a proposal that was irrefutable. And I also wanted to play in Europe. Then things didn’t work out, I went to Benfica because I thought I would have more opportunities, it was a team in a Portuguese championship, the language wouldn’t get in my way...”.

“ It was a general consensus. On my return to Santos, my father had a huge weight in 2018. And then in Flamengo, then I did it. When Flamengo arrived, I said ‘I need to play in Flamengo’. I always wanted to play in Flamengo. When he arrived, I didn't hear anything else. It was Flamengo, and could come I think Real Madrid or Barcelona that I was going to Flamengo ", pointed.

“ I love the team, I love the fans, I love the city... And when I was there and asked about Santos, I said the same thing, that I love the team, I love the fans and I love the city. It's the truth, there's nothing to do. I don't know what they expect me to say when they ask me about it. If they asked me about other teams, such as Inter or Benfica, it is a totally different feeling ", concluded.