Tiago Gouveia Heads to Mexico: "My Goal Was to Stay at Benfica"

Tiago Gouveia is set to depart Benfica and will not be available for Marco Silva in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round against St. Gallen. The Portuguese winger, who is moving to Mexican club Atlas, stated on Sunday at Lisbon Airport, in an interview with CMTV, that his "main goal was to stay at Benfica."

"Everyone knew, especially those closest to me, that my big objective was to remain at Benfica. I tried to seize every opportunity I had. I tried to be happy, but unfortunately, it didn't work out. It's time to take a step forward in my life. A year ago, I was here wishing Benfica all the best, and I repeat those same words. I wish Benfica all the best, that everyone finds happiness, and above all, that they become champions and achieve their goals," the player remarked, expressing confidence in the Eagles' new season: "I believe Benfica has a fantastic coach. In my opinion, he's the right coach to lead Benfica forward. I'm very confident. I'll be rooting for them, and I'm sure they'll be very happy in the end. What did Rui Costa tell me? That it would go well. I thanked him and wished him good luck."

Regarding his inability to establish himself at the Estádio da Luz, Tiago Gouveia commented: "I think everyone is to blame, especially me. I won't put the blame on others. It was always an internal dialogue I had over the years, that despite the lack of opportunities I might have had, I can't solely blame others. I also have to look at myself, introspect, and understand what I could have done better. I came to the realization that, in fact, I could have done better. It was more than my obligation. Of course, here and there, I might have had other opportunities. I didn't. But I think I'm the most to blame. I take responsibility for my lack of success at Benfica, and I truly believe that one day I will return."

The winger also shared Marco Silva's words before leaving a message for Benfica fans. "Marco Silva asked me if I was confident... because I told him I had never been a champion with Benfica and that I really wanted it to be this year. And he asked me if I was confident. I told him I was very confident. He said, 'we'll work for it, and everything will go well.' The Benfica fans were impeccable with me. I always felt the love and affection they have for me. I was a person and a player... I was always one of them. They know that. Now I can say it more openly, I was always one of them. I always followed Benfica and will always be rooting for them. Once again, I want to thank them for the support and affection they always gave me. Both at Nice, and at Benfica, at Estoril, they were always fantastic fans to me. They always showed a lot of love and affection. It's truly love and affection that I have for them. I will always be one of them," he commented.

"I'm happy, very confident, I think it will go very well. I believe it will be a step forward in my life, in my career. I think it's a good league, I'll be very happy. But as I said: I hope to return one day because my story at Benfica is not over yet," he concluded.

Tiago Gouveia's transfer will bring an immediate 3 million euros to the Eagles, with the Lisbon club retaining 50 percent of his economic rights for a future transfer. The deal also includes the possibility for Atlas to acquire an additional 40 percent of those rights, potentially increasing the total value of the operation to 7 million euros.