Former Roma defender Medhi Benatia visits Trigoria | OneFootball

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RomaPress

·12 May 2022

Former Roma defender Medhi Benatia visits Trigoria

Article image:Former Roma defender Medhi Benatia visits Trigoria

The 35 year-old recently hung up his boots and retired as a footballer after brief spell with Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük.

“After so many years, I returned to Trigoria today with a ton of emotion,” he wrote on Instagram.


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“It’s both nostalgic and a real pleasure to return to this incredible city where I experienced unforgettable moments.”

Adding, “I’d like to thank the club’s executives and other staff members for their warm welcome. And thank you for the shirt with the colors wore I proudly.”

It marks the first time Benatia stepped foot into Trigoria following his acrimonious exit from Roma in August 2014, when he joined Bayern Munich.

The Moroccan originally moved to the Giallorossi in 2013 from Udinese in a €13.5 million transfer deal. After his first season in Rome, Benatia emerged as one of the strongest defenders in Serie A, capturing the attention of several clubs including Juventus, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich.

Despite the interest, he pledged to remain in the Italian capital but sought a wage increase. After weeks of unsuccessful contract renewal negotiations, Benatia expressed his desire to leave Roma, leading to a bitter divorce between the two sides.

He ultimately joined the Bavarians for €26 million, spending two seasons with the club before returning to Italy in 2016 and joining Juventus.

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