Maxi Pereira’s move to FC Porto was triggered by a prolonged silence from Benfica, according to an interview with Liga TV.
The former lateral revealed that the Lisbon club failed to provide a contract renewal proposal, effectively ending his tenure and opening the door to the Dragão.
“If Benfica didn’t come to talk to me during all those years, I also think it wasn’t worth waiting any longer for something,” Pereira said during a “Sem Filtros” conversation.
While the prospect of joining a direct rival was not an initial ambition, Pereira said the practical reality of the situation forced his hand. He sought counsel from fellow players who had played for the club, noting that Álvaro Pereira, Cebola, and Fucile all pointed toward Porto’s interest in his services.
“I think it was the best decision, because today I live in Porto and I like the city, the people and, of course, the club too,” Pereira said. He added that he has maintained respect from Benfica supporters outside of matchday environments despite the intense rivalry.
The breakthrough finally arrived in his third season under manager Sérgio Conceição, when the club secured the national championship.
“That third year at FC Porto, when we were champions, was the most beautiful year I spent. When I arrived I thought I would be a champion right away, I thought that, but it didn’t happen,” Pereira said.
“One year, then years, and then you start to carry that backpack on your back,” he said, noting that the championship allowed him to “free myself from that backpack of having to be a champion for FC Porto.”
He remains connected to a group of about 20 former teammates, specifically citing Herrera, Corona, and Felipe as enduring friends.
“We still maintain a group, which will have about 20 elements, with me, Herrera, Corona, Felipe, many people from that championship team,” Pereira said.
“It was a spectacular group,” he added.
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