All wrong?: Enzo Fernández and his lightning trip to Argentina for New Year’s Eve angered Benfica

Enzo Fernández caused “inconvenience” in his club, the Benficaafter his lightning trip to Argentina for New Year’s with his family despite his coach’s objection, Portuguese press reported on Monday.

Enzo, 21, traveled to Buenos Aires to say goodbye to 2022 and receive 2023 after starting his team’s match against Braga on Friday 30 December. In the game, the Argentine showed visible signs of wear and tear, with a performance that was anything but usual against Benfica, who suffered their first defeat of the season (3-0).

The midfielder, elected best young player of Qatar 2022, had joined his teammates only a few days earlier, on the 27th, after the intense celebrations for the victory of the World Cup in Qatar with the Argentine national team.

The technical director of the team, the German Roger Schmidtassured, questioned at a press conference on Enzo’s escape, that “the rules are for everyone” and that it is important for players to “rest” between games.

“We are a professional team and the rules are for everyone. It is very important that all players rest between matches and are prepared for the next one, there are no exceptions,” he said.

The journey of the former River and Defense and Justice is the cover of this Monday in various sports media in Portugal, whichThey anticipate the Argentine’s departure from the team. “Enzo Fernández travels and generates new hardships”, headlines the Record newspaper in its digital edition, while A Bola writes that “Enzo tends the rope”.

Enzo’s departure from Benfica is seen in Portugal as a matter of time, and the international press suggests that the midfielder is very close to Chelsea willing to exceed his €120m release clause.

Enzo Fernández joined Benfica from River Plate in August for €10m and immediately became one of the Portuguese squad’s key players.

Source: EFE