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. Nemanja Matic, the 37-year-old Serbian midfielder, reflected on his career in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, highlighting the crucial transformation he underwent at Benfica under the management of Jorge Jesus. The player, who started his career as an attacking midfielder, revealed how the Portuguese coach changed his trajectory. 'I was taken aback. On the first day, he came to me with an interpreter because I didn't speak Portuguese and he didn't speak English. He told me: “As an 8 or a 10, you don't have a high level and you can't play for Benfica,”' Matic recounted, whose initial reaction was one of astonishment: 'I thought: “But why did you sign me?”' However, Jesus's explanation was clear. 'Then he continued: “On the contrary, if you play as a 6, you can become one of the best in the world.” I had no choice, so I stepped back. And after four months, I realized that Jorge Jesus was right,' admitted the Serbian, who spent two and a half years at Benfica, winning the league, the Portuguese Cup, and the League Cup. Matic ended up stepping back on the field and forming a successful partnership with Enzo Pérez in the Benfica midfield. He left the Eagles in January 2014 for 25 million euros to join Chelsea. After leaving Benfica, Nemanja Matic was signed three times by José Mourinho: to Chelsea (coming from Benfica) in 2014, to Manchester United in 2017, and to Roma in 2022. It was in the Roman capital that the midfielder felt that the Portuguese had changed as a coach. 'In Rome, he was more relaxed. Mourinho is an exceptional character and realized that the new generations are different from ours,' he noted, referring to the impact of social media and the pressure that exists on younger players. When asked about the Europa League final between Roma and Sevilla in 2023, and whether he felt 'robbed' like Mourinho, the player returned the question to the journalist: 'I ask you: for you, was that a penalty? Twenty years ago, certainly not, but nowadays it is called. In any case, it was a shame: it had been a great season, it would have been wonderful to lift that trophy.'
Jorge Jesus Benfica remains central to this story.
Jorge Jesus Benfica remains central to this story.
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