By Melody Gross 
Alex Crimaldo, the 26-year-old Spanish left-back, has Nefica’s SAD priority stamp, which is already on the alert – and likely working – to renew the player’s contract, whose contact with the red players will expire in June 2023.
A little more than a year and a half of bonding with the Eagles might seem like enough time, but Benfica’s room to maneuver will decrease every month and as next season approaches, given that in January 2023 the Spaniard will be allowed to enter the contract freely and without any compensation to the Eagle.
Grimaldo has a termination clause of €60m and remains one of Benfica’s most important and valuable assets. It goes without saying that he has been the undisputed owner of the left side of the defense since 2017/2018 and that he has been favored by Rui Vitoria, Bruno Lage and Jorge Jesus to explain his relationship with the club.
He arrived at Luz in January 2016 from Barcelona – he was one of the smashers in the B-team, but feuded with Luis Enrique, who coached the main team, and ended up opting out – and gained fame with Benfica’s constant spells. In the Benfica Champions League.
He never managed to conceal defensive difficulties, but his ability to unbalance from midfield forward made the difference, as he stood out in goals – 15 in 220 games for Benfica – in assists and his way of participating throughout the team’s offensive game.
It should be noted that Grimaldo has been a name practically relevant to the market since his arrival in Lisbon, being mentioned annually as a footballer who piques the interest of some of Europe’s top players – perhaps Napoli has been the club associated with the Spaniard for the longest – and has undeniable respect from Eagle International opponents – Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann has elected Grimaldo as one of Benfica’s best ahead of the Lisbon Champions League match.
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