Welcome, Castillo!

Nicolás Castillo, a 25-year-old Chilean forward, is a new signing of the Benfica football squad for the 2018/19 season. After the usual medical, he signed a five-season deal.

The international for Chile already had the chance to visit the Estádio da Luz, the place that will be his home in the next five years.

“It is very beautiful. I have been told that the supporters are very faithful and that is always good for us players. We hope to respond on the pitch. The stadium is beautiful and I hope to play her as soon as possible”, said Castillo.

The forward had the opportunity of watching videos of the Benfica matches and what it expects for the matches is “an amazing atmosphere”.

“I already had the chance to watch videos of the matches and I know there will always be a lot of support”, he added

After stepping on the pitch, Castillo was close to the eagle, the living symbol of the Club which leaves no-one indifferent.

“Seeing the eagle, I realized that it is very symbolic for the people of the Club, but also for the foreigners. It is a pride to be here”, he stressed.

Castillo was at the store of Estádio da Luz where he was able to wear the jersey with his named stamped on the back and, at the same time, meet the supporters.

“It was very nice. It is something all the players dream about when they arrive at a new team. To see the jersey with your number and name is something very important”, he said.

Castillo also admitted that he took little time to accept Benfica's proposal.

“As soon as I found out about Benfica's interest, what I wanted was to come. It is a big club, known worldwide, with many supporters and much talked about,  and it did not take me a minute to decide to come here”, he revealed.

“Luisão is the captain and a historic”

Going back on time, it was time to remember Castillo's first moments in football. The Chilean remembered how it all started.

“When I played on the street, as a child, I already dream about becoming a football player. I was fortunate to have parents that always took me to the matches, as well as my grandfather. I have to thank them. That is how the dream that allowed me to be here started”, he said.

Today, Castillo is a fearsome forward for the opposing defenses. “When I was younger I played in other positions, but the age of 16, I began having a more permanent position”, he acknowledged.

Not everything is new for the Chilean. Castillo said that “he already knew Benfica, but also the city, which is very beautiful, or even the Portuguese League”. “I know Di María, who played here, Luisão, who is the captain and a historic. I admire them a lot”, he completed.

People expect a forward to score goals. Castillo says he is ready to give an answer on the pitch and help the team.

“That is my idea, my goal. I arrive to help the Club so that it can remain the most important club in Portugal.”, he stressed.

And objectives?

“When I arrive at a team, I always think match by match. All matches are difficult”, he highlighted.

Benfica will be his second experience in Europa after having played in the Old Continent between 2013 and 2016.

“I arrived young, a little immature. Now I am 100%, I returned to Chile, I had a spell in Mexico and that helped me a lot. I played in amazing leagues, I seized and learned in all of them. Now I come with the mindset of playing and helping the team in everything I can”, he stressed. “I'm very motivated and focused on Benfica”, he added.

“To play at Benfica is a big responsibility”

After the medical and visiting the Estádio da Luz it was time to pen the contract that makes his connection to the Club official.

“Everything went as I wanted. To play at Benfica is a big responsibility, but also a motivation to keep racking up titles”, he said, assuring that he will “help Benfica” and “try to grow personally and professionally”.

He thanked the fans for the messages of affection sent via social networks: “Thank you very much for all the messages you sent me. What I want is to give everything I got on the pitch in every match.”

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: João Paulo Trindade / SL Benfica