Luis Filipe Vieira, president of Benfica, has hit the Joao Felix critics back as the results of him following his big-money move to Atletico Madrid have prompted outrage.
Those who question the signing of the former Benfica forward show signs of jealousy claimed Viera.
“[Criticism] is a bit of envy which is institutionalized,” Viera told Benfica’s official TV channel.
“[Joao Felix’s move] was one of the most appreciated sales in Europe.”
“[It was] the most expensive during the six months in which Joao Felix was at Benfica.”
After his last contract renewal with Benfica, Vieira went on to discuss the logistics of Joao Felix’s release clause.
“We signed the renewal and increased the release clause,” he added.
“It was agreed that there would be a 10 percent commission for the Gestifute agency, owned by [Joao Felix’s agent] Jorge Mendes, at a time when nobody imagined that there would be a transfer of 126 million euros.”
