Former Benfica defender Alejandro Grimaldo has revealed the intense fan pressure and hostile environment he faced during his tenure with the Portuguese club, including a threatening message left on his home after a defeat.
Grimaldo, now a defender for Bayer Leverkusen, stated that Benfica supporters offer strong backing when a player performs well. However, he cautioned that if performance declines, fans “make you a cross,” meaning they turn hostile.
He recounted an incident after a lost game where he discovered a message scrawled on the walls of his house, explicitly stating “son of a bitch.”
Grimaldo made these revelations during an interview on the Spanish podcast ‘After de Post’.
Before joining Benfica, Grimaldo had been with Barcelona but was nearing the end of his contract and was not in the club’s plans. He reflected that moving to Benfica was “spot on” and the best decision for his career at that time.
His eventual departure from Benfica saw him join Bayer Leverkusen, a move he says was influenced by the project under coach Xabi Alonso.
Grimaldo also addressed rumors linking him to Real Madrid, categorizing them as “unsubstantiated news” and “nothing more than rumors.” He affirmed his long-standing desire to return to play in Spain someday, mentioning Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid as prominent clubs.