The hardest part of letting go for Nico Gaitan on Friday night was saying goodbye.
The Argentine attacking midfielder has been a loyal servant to Benfica for the past six seasons, after joining the side from Boca Juniors to serve as Angel di Maria’s replacement.
Gaitan has spent the lion’s share of his senior professional career at the Portuguese club, and unsurprisingly, he found bidding farewell to be all too much in what was likely his last game for Benfica against Marítimo in the Taça da Liga Final on Friday.
Which is more than some players can say.
WATCH: Borussia Dortmund fans have completely turned on Mats Hummels https://t.co/ynPEqV3Zky
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Set to leave in the summer, Gaitan was given a huge send-off by the fans as they gave him a rapturous standing ovation as he was being substituted off. He was so taken aback by the reception he received that he broke down in tears on the substitutes bench.
Gaitian grabbed a goal in the game, which Benfica completely dominated running out 6-2 winners.
https://twitter.com/MGiakoumakis/status/733779340106813440
