15 years of Estádio da Luz: memories from Gaitán

All in, there were six seasons, 125 matches and 21 goals for Benfica at Estádio da Luz. Two years after saying goodbye in tears, Gaitán remembers some of the moments lived in the Cathedral.

“There are beautiful moments the ones I keep from every time I played at Estádio da Luz. I remember very well of some important matches, namely "clássicos" and derbies. There are some that made an  impression on, as is the case of the Benfica-FC Porto immediately after the death of Eusébio. It was a different match, very intense and we lived it in a very very special way. One could feel a positive energy at the Stadium”, he remembered in exclusive statements to the Official Site. 

I felt in love with the red supporters and the affection was reciprocated. In the last match at Estádio da Luz, on May 15, 2016, he starred in an amazing moment. In the afternoon in which the team won the third consecutive league title (Benfica-Nacional, 4-1) he made the supporters in the Cathedral give him a standing ovation... Three times! Apart from the two goals scored, he came off at 65’, applauded by a true Red Wave. With a bow, the fans repeated “Nico” in unison.

 “I take this opportunity to wish Benfica the best. I am always interested in hearing news from the Club, from the supporters and I wish the best from the bottom of my heart. Always! May the supporters follow the team, as they always do because they are a very important part”, he finished.

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica