Anniversary: the Argentine who arrived as Gaitán and left as Nico

Nico Gaitán represented Benfica for six seasons and the Club does not forget the day of the 30th anniversary of the Argentinean winger, who said farewell to the reds in tear before moving to Atletico Madrid.

“I arrived as Gaitán and I leave as Nico. “When someone calls me by my first name it is different, it is a special affection. Thank you!” It was with these words that the Argentine said farewell to the Benfica supporters before moving to Spain at the end of the 2015/16 season.

He fell in love with the reds’ supporters and the affection was reciprocated. In his last match at Estádio da Luz, he was the protagonist of an amazing moment. On May 15^th, 2016 – a day that will be forever marked by the winning of the Third league title in a row (Benfica-Nacional, 4-1) – he made the all the supporters get up from their seats... Three times! Apart from the two goals scored, he came off at 65’, “rocked” by a true Red Wave. While doing a bow, the supporters were repeating “Nico” in unison.

He would just play one more match, five days later, in what was the night he won his 5th League Cup and he made his last match with an eagle on his chest. Nico Gaitán left the pitch in tear after having scored a goal and having been replaced by Gonçalo Guedes, at 78’.

"It is time to say goodbye. A big thank you. They are part of my family and I am proud that we have shared good times and not so good time, but always united. There a lot of talent in here. I just want to wish good luck to all. We are together!", he said in the dressing room in an emotive farewell.  

To Spain, he took in his curriculum a total of 253 matches for Benfica, with 41 goals scored in 6 seasons. He celebrated 3 National Championships (2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16), 1 Portuguese Cup (2013/14), 5 League Cups (2010/11, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16) and 1 Super Cup (2014/15).

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica