17 July 2007, by Paulo Carvalho

Maciel aims to recapture best form at Leiria

Winger admits he “should have joined Benfica”

Uniao de Leiria have signed forward, Maciel, for the third time in the club’s history. The former FC Porto player recently rescinded his contract with the Portuguese champions and has signed with the Leiriense for one season.

The Brazilian is happy with the move and confessed that he has signed a one-year deal in the hope of signing for another of Portugal’s bigger clubs at the end of the season. “Knowing that I will be a free agent makes things easier for me to go to another club,” admitted Maciel.

“My objective is to return and play for one of the big clubs in Portugal, but I must show what I am worth on the pitch. I am happier than ever having rescinded with FC Porto and now I can play again with happiness. At Braga, I played with passion, but not with the happiness that I feel now.”

The player confessed that he received an offer from Benfica at the time he signed for Porto and added he now regretted the move to the club from the north.

“I signed with Porto when Mourinho was there, but if I had signed for Benfica, who at the time were also interested, maybe things would have gone better there.”