It seems the Estadio Bernabeu is not the perfect
destination for every footballer, as the Argentine
defender insists he has no regrets over sealing a move
away
Ezequiel Garay has claimed leaving that Real Madrid for
Benfica in 2011 was the best decision of his career.
Garay was tipped for big things when Madrid plucked the
centre-back from Racing Santander in 2008, but under
Jose Mourinho he fell out of favour and eventually left
for Estadio da Luz.
At Benfica he established himself as a first-team regular
to help his chances on the international stage with
Argentina, before moving on to Zenit three years later.
Now at Valencia following a close-season move, Garay
has been reflecting on his last spell in Spain and is
adamant leaving Madrid was crucial.
"I respect Real Madrid as an institution," he toldEl
Desmarque. "But I still say that the best decision of my
career was getting out of the club, because a footballer
likes to play and I did not.
"I do not regret leaving there as the three years I spent
at Benfica after leaving Real were spectacular.
"At Benfica I had my best years as a player. I was very
happy, I won important things.
"We played two finals followed by the Europa League
[final] and got places that the club had never been."
