"An important milestone in a very high level club"

INTERVIEW

Night of May 6, 2023. More than 60 thousand fans saw Benfica impose its strength and triumph over SC Braga at Estádio da Luz, thus taking another step towards the goal of winning the 38th National Championship in its history. Grimaldo completed 300 appearances with an eagle on his chest. 

300 MATCHES

"It is a pride, isn't it? When I arrived here seven and a half years ago, I couldn't imagine that I would reach 300 games. But now in the last game, against Braga, I reached this number, and it is a huge pride because being here for so long, and to be able to play so many games in a club of such a high level as Benfica is an enormous pride for me" 

FEELING

"Playing in a team like Benfica is difficult because it is a very high level club. You always have to be at a very high level to be able to play every week, and I think that with a lot of hard work and sacrifice, over seven and a half years, I managed to play many matches each season, always at a high level. To be able to reach this number is an enormous pride because it is not easy, behind everything there is a lot of work and a lot of sacrifice, to be able to play 40, 50 games each season at a very high level of demand. Now it's time to keep going, to reach our goal this season, which is the league title." 

DEBUT

"I had arrived in a new country, a new team, in the middle of the season. It was difficult to come in and play. You need a period of adaptation. When the moment of the debut comes, you are always a little nervous, but I remember that it was a very special moment, with a very confident team, which was in a great moment. It's easier to join a team that is getting wins. At that moment I made my debut [January 26, 2016], and it's a day that will always stay in my memory."

MEMORY

"I always talk about the first Championship [2015/16]. The match at Estádio da Luz, winning the Championship, then going to the Marquês... It was something that was very special because I couldn't imagine what was going to happen, what happened. It's something that will always stay in my memory because it was something very special."

ANALYSIS

"I am very happy for all these years, for playing in this club, for being able to give everything for the club, for having had good and bad moments.  It's not easy to come out of the moments when you don't get the goals, but it's also a learning curve for all of us, and it then helps us to get the goals the following year. I learned to play in a team where you always have to win, where you must work to achieve the goals each season, and come out stronger from defeats."