Benfica fans have torn into midfielder Enzo Fernandez after he was pictured partying in Argentina for New Year's Eve and reportedly missed team training - telling the in-demand World Cup star to 'go to hell' and urging the club to sell him.
Fernandez has been heavily linked with a move away from the Portuguese outfit following his heroics with Argentina in Qatar and Chelsea have been strongly linked with the player. He had already angered his club by defying orders not to fly back to Argentina and now he has infuriated supporters.
Sportsmail revealed this week that the Blues are prepared to pay £112million for his signature - £6m higher than his buyout clause - in a bid to secure the deal ahead of their rivals, with the transfer set to be paid in three annual instalments of £37.3m.
Fernandez returned to action for Benfica on December 30 - despite playing in the final for his country 12 days earlier - playing 89 minutes in a 3-0 loss to rivals Braga.
He then opted to fly back to Argentina for New Years celebrations against his club's wishes, with his agent Uriel Perez posting a picture of Fernandez still enjoying himself on January 2, which has invoked the wrath of fans after he reportedly missed Benfica training.
Portuguese outlet Record reported that Fernandez was not present for either of Benfica's two sessions on Monday and could even be handed a 'heavy fine' for breaching disciplinary regulations.
Fernandez has also been issued an ultimatum to return to the club, the report adds, and supporters have unleashed their fury at him with comments on Perez's Instagram photo - which have now been turned off by the representative - as some urged the club to 'take the £105m'.
'Get out, go away and don't come back,' one post read - as reported by Spanish outlet AS. 'You're very unprofessional to be in a club as big as Benfica.'
Another said: 'What a lack of respect for Benfica at a crucial stage of the season. Take the £105m and go to hell. No player is above Benfica.'
'Ungrateful,' one fan said. 'If it wasn't for Benfica you wouldn't have gone to the World Cup.'
And another scathing reply said: 'For me, don't play for Benfica again! What a lack of professionalism for a club that helped him go to the World Cup and the Champions League. Wake up boy.'
Perez's caption on the post read: 'How beautiful to say goodbye to 2022 and start 2023 in this way. Happy New Year everyone and stay positive from now on.'
The club's manager Rodger Schmidt confirmed there would be 'no exceptions' for players travelling during New Year after Fernandez jetted back home.
The coach insisted his squad would remain in Portugal to rest between matches.
‘We are a professional football team, the rules are for all players,’ Schmidt said.
‘It is very important for all players to rest between games, to be ready for the next game. There are no exceptions to that.'
Benfica have insisted all along they do not wish to sell Fernandez during the January window and have also offered him an improved contract.
The club have recognised the World Cup winner’s head has been turned by the attraction of moving to London in a lucrative deal.