Richard Ríos was received by Nicolás Otamendi, with boxing gloves, on his arrival to Benfica.
Photo: Benfica
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Benfica shared a video that portrays such a symbolic as expected: the reunion between Richard Ríos and Nicolás Otamendi, this time not as rivals, but as teammates.
The Colombian landed in Lisbon to sign his contract with the Portuguese club, which disbursed about 30 million euros for its pass from Palmeiras. With that number, Ríos not only becomes stellar reinforcement, but also one of the most expensive operations in the history of the club.
But beyond signing, what caught the attention was the greeting with Otamendi, current captain of Benfica and the old acquaintance of the Colombian … although not for friendly reasons. Just a month ago, both starred in a strong crossing in the 1-1 draw between Colombia and Argentina for the qualifiers, at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The friction included round trip insults in the field and left the feeling that the tension could continue outside the stadium.
None of that happened. Ríos arrived in Lisbon with things clear: “Now we are going to win titles together,” he said before the press, leaving any controversy behind. In the video broadcast by the club, Otamendi is practicing boxing and before the arrival of Ríos, he asks: “We are going to see who is older now, brother,” however, both leave the room, hugged with a “come together”, in which it seems the beginning of a coexistence that promises character and leadership inside the locker room.
Otamendi, with five seasons in Benfica, renewed his contract for another year and prepares to guide the team once again in the local championship and the UEFA Champions League. The arrival of Ríos gives the midfield a key physical and technical reinforcement, which already shone in the Club World Cup with Palmeiras and will now seek to consolidate in Europe.
Benfica not only adds talent: add intensity. Two temperamental players that weeks ago shouted in the face, today share costumes. And if the past was left behind, the present is projected with ambition. Football has those laps.
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