This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Lucas Veríssimo, former central defender of Benfica, landed in Brazil on Thursday night after a long wait in Qatar due to flight cancellations caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The player, who arrives to strengthen Santos, expressed relief at being safe with his family. Veríssimo's arrival from Al Duhail had been awaited for several weeks, but the instability in the region, marked by the war between the United States, Iran, and Israel, led to successive flight cancellations, delaying his return to Brazil. The flight that departed from Doha was the first to arrive on Brazilian soil since the conflict began. Upon arrival, the 30-year-old player described the atmosphere in Qatar. 'It's a unique situation, I never thought I would go through this,' he admitted, adding that despite the country's efforts to convey calm, the tension was palpable. 'Every now and then you would hear a 'boom', the children would come asking. The first few days were very tense,' reported Veríssimo, who traveled with his wife, Amanda, and their two children. Tired after a journey of over 15 hours, the defender expressed happiness at returning to Santos – where he was before leaving for Benfica in 2020. 'Very happy, ten days in this expectation of being able to come. It took a little while, but everything went well. Today, being here with my family safe and sound is the most important thing,' he stated. Lucas Veríssimo will sign a contract valid for three seasons, in a transfer that cost Santos around 4 million euros.
Benfica Middle East remains central to this story.
Benfica Middle East remains central to this story.
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