Alejandro Grimaldo has insisted that Joao Felix needs to be given time to flourish at Atletico Madrid.
The Spaniard played alongside the Portuguese forward at Benfica before his big-money move to Los Rojiblancos last summer.
As well as discussing Joao Felix, Grimaldo spoke to MARCA about playing in Portugal, Barcelona, his chances of a Spain call-up and much more.
Benfica are unstoppable: 14 league wins in a row, victory in the derby against Sporting CP and seven points clear of Porto. Did you expect this start?
It couldn't have gone much better. We lost at home to Porto, but we've won all the others.
Benfica dominate Portugal - they've won five of the last six league titles - but they still haven't put a Champions League run together. What's missing?
Benfica are a strong team, with a good academy, but great players have left us and it's difficult to counteract it. [Other] clubs pay a lot, but we're signing well and we hope to go further in the Europa League.
Gedson Fernandes (Tottenham Hotspur) has been the latest academy player to leave, but the list is long: Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, Nelson Semedo, Renato Sanches... What is the secret?
It's the credit of the president and of Benfica, who take good care of their young players. The facilities and everything that surrounds the club is magnificent and that helps.
Who is the next pearl?
We have very good young players. Tomas Tavares, a right-back, can be the next pearl, but there are others with lots of quality at the club.
Benfica have earned one billion euros from player sales since 2009. Do you see them as a stepping stone?
Yes, it's one of the reasons why I came to Benfica. They take good care of their players, they win trophies and they help you make the jump to LaLiga or the Premier League, leagues that we like.
You've shared a dressing room with Joao Felix. What is needed for him to succeed at Atletico Madrid?
I think he needs to settle in. [Diego] Simeone and Atletico's system is complicated and different from Benfica's. He needs time, but Joao is a great player and I don't doubt that he'll succeed at any club.
Raul de Tomas has left Benfica. What happened?
It's not easy to play for Benfica. He didn't have the luck, he left for Espanyol and I wish him the best. Raul is a great player.
Would Mariano Diaz fit in at Benfica?
We think so, but Raul, who is a great player, found it difficult. He would have to work hard.
You were at the Barcelona academy with Sergi Roberto, Rafinha Alcantara, Marc Bartra... Was it hard to leave Barcelona?
Yes. I spent many years at the club and I was comfortable in one of the biggest academies in the world, but I had to take the next step in my career. Benfica gambled on me and it was the best decision I've made.
You've broken through in Lisbon. You've won eight trophies and have renewed your contract until 2023.
Benfica wanted me to renew and I'm very happy. I don't know what can happen, but I'm just fine [here]. It's my fourth season, I've won lots of trophies and I'm part of a club whose demand is the highest.
Have you had options to return to Spain?
Things have always been spoken about. I had a very high release clause and Benfica didn't want me to leave. I was happy.
Last season, you scored seven goals and made 13 assists. Was it your best season?
In terms of numbers, yes; it was very complete, but I feel better every year. I'd spent time with Rui Vitoria and he knew me well, but the arrival of Bruno Lage meant the team changed and we exploited certain attacking qualities.
You're also a specialist in assists. Only Trent Alexander-Arnold has more than you this season.
Full-backs are almost like the first attackers. We get to the byline a lot and cross it. I've worked a lot on my final product and it's brought results.
Freekicks are also one of your strong points. Did you learn from Lionel Messi at Barcelona?
Everyone takes notice of Leo. When someone scores one freekick in five, you have to learn from him, see how he does it and try to hit the target.
After various years performing at the highest level, do you think you should have been called up by Spain by now?
I've always said it's one of my objectives. I want to get a call-up; I work for it and there's still time before the Euros.
In your position there is Jordi Alba, Jose Gaya, Juan Bernat, Sergio Reguilon, yourself... there's a lot of competition.
It's the Spanish national team and there are great players in every position! We all want to go and we work hard for it. It's tough, there's competition, but it's one of my goals. I'm going to work my best to have the opportunity and, if not, I'll work even more.
You won the Under-19 Euros in 2012 with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Gerard Deulofeu, Jese Rodriguez, Suso... under Julen Lopetegui. Did you think he would've helped you get a senior call-up?
He could've given me a call-up, Luis Enrique [could've done]... I have to give my best so that they notice me and call me up. It's something that I'll always remember. I was very young, I had the chance to go with Lopetegui and we won. It was very important and now the majority of us are at great clubs.
Who is the most difficult player you've played against?
I've played against some very good players but, when I was at Barcelona and I went up to train with the first team - Neymar was incredible when he fronted you up. And Messi always leaves his mark.