Arsenal defender David Luiz has reiterated his desire to return to Benfica before the end of his career and says he even turned down a move to Porto out of respect to the Lisbon giants.
Luiz joined Benfica in 2007 from Vitoria, before joining Chelsea in 2011. Luiz says he was subject to a big offer from Porto but turned it down.
“Benfica offered me a five-year contract, but there were countless clubs offering me 30, 40, 50 times more. I even had a proposal from our arch-rival, FC Porto.
£But my parents taught me that you don’t spit on the plate you eat. I signed for five years for Benfica and after a few months I broke my foot.
“I recovered, went back to playing and after a few months I broke my foot again. Imagine if I had gone to another club?”
Luiz says he plans to return to Lisbon before his career is over. “I always said that I would like to end my career at Benfica, but I don’t know when.
“I know I want to have legs. For now, I took on this challenge at Arsenal and, in addition, I have to recognize that Benfica is currently well served. But my dream is to go back to Estádio da Luz.
“It will be one of the most exciting days of my life. I want to wear the sacred shirt again, wear my (number) 23 at Benfica.”
Arsenal defender David Luiz has reiterated his desire to return to Benfica before the end of his career and says he even turned down a move to Porto out of respect to the Lisbon giants.
Luiz joined Benfica in 2007 from Vitoria, before joining Chelsea in 2011. Luiz says he was subject to a big offer from Porto but turned it down.
“Benfica offered me a five-year contract, but there were countless clubs offering me 30, 40, 50 times more. I even had a proposal from our arch-rival, FC Porto.
But my parents taught me that you don’t spit on the plate you eat. I signed for five years for Benfica and after a few months I broke my foot.
“I recovered, went back to playing and after a few months I broke my foot again. Imagine if I had gone to another club?”
Luiz says he plans to return to Lisbon before his career is over. “I always said that I would like to end my career at Benfica, but I don’t know when.
“I know I want to have legs. For now, I took on this challenge at Arsenal and, in addition, I have to recognize that Benfica is currently well served. But my dream is to go back to Estádio da Luz.
“It will be one of the most exciting days of my life. I want to wear the sacred shirt again, wear my (number) 23 at Benfica.”
