When Ruben Neves left Porto to join Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Portuguese press wasn’t very sure it was a smart decision for him.
The midfielder had grown at the Dragons’ academy and even captained them a few times at a very young age, so it felt risky to leave for a Championship club.
Jorge Mendes and Gestifute were criticised, and it was even suggested that the agent was doing Porto a financial favour, as they needed money quickly, and not considering the player’s career enough.
However, it worked out brilliantly and in an interview with newspaper O Jogo, Neves explained how happy he is that he signed for Wolves.
The midfielder is today highlighted on the newspaper’s front page, and when asked about his exit from Porto and whether he went too soon, he dismissed that idea.
“I don’t think I left too soon, I left at the right time. A footballer’s career is short and sometimes you have to put your feelings to one side to look after yourself and your family. The transfer wasn’t as simple as the one to Al Hilal. Wolves were in the English second division, everything was different and it was my first experience abroad. A daughter was born that year…,” Neves told O Jogo.
“It was a big change, but it went very well. I look back and I’m 200% sure it was the best decision I could have made.”
Neves left Wolves last summer with 253 appearances, 30 goals and 13 assists for the club. Al-Hilal bought him for €55m and now have him under contract until 2026.
In the same interview, the midfielder did not rule a return to European football, having revealed that he was close to joining the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona when leaving the Molineux.
And if you want some transfer advice from Mr Neves, when asked about Porto’s rising midfield star Alan Varela, he said: “He is an excellent player. It was an excellent signing for FCPorto, perhaps the team’s most regular reinforcement in terms of time and quality of play. He is extremely aggressive, is always very well positioned in defensive balances and, lately, he has been getting a little further forward, making his passing and finishing ability count. He’s already scored two goals. He is very complete and has been one of the most important elements of the team.”
