Portuguese under-21 international and Arsenal player, Nuno Tavares, took a trip down memory lane, visiting his old school, Colégio Nuno Álvares Pereira, part of Casa Pia de Lisboa, where he spent a significant part of his childhood.

FUTEBOL - Nuno Tavares ex jogador do Benfica, Marselha é ainda jogador do Arsenal, vistou o Colégio Nuno Alvares Pereira onde estou, em Belém. Segunda-feira 5 de Junho de 2023. (RUI RAIMUNDO/ASF)
FUTEBOL – Nuno Tavares ex jogador do Benfica, Marselha é ainda jogador do Arsenal, vistou o Colégio Nuno Alvares Pereira onde estou, em Belém. Segunda-feira 5 de Junho de 2023. (RUI RAIMUNDO/ASF)
  • Nuno Tavares, currently on loan at Marseille from Arsenal, visited his former school and training club, Benfica.
  • Tavares expressed satisfaction with Benfica’s recent national title victory and reminisced on his time at the club.
  • He praised his teammate, Vitinha, and predicted a bright future for the young footballer.

A walk down memory lane for Nuno Tavares

A nostalgic visit

Marseille's Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at Stade Francis-Le Ble in Brest, western France on August 14, 2022. (Photo by FRED TANNEAU / AFP)
Marseille’s Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the French L1 football match between Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at Stade Francis-Le Ble in Brest, western France on August 14, 2022. (Photo by FRED TANNEAU / AFP)

Tavares took the opportunity to tour his old school’s music wing, even showcasing his cello-playing skills – a talent he nurtured during his time there.

The visit served as a chance for the Arsenal left-back to reconnect with old teachers and friends, a heartening scene marked by warm greetings and shared memories.

Remembering his Benfica days

15th January 2021 Dragao Stadium, Porto, Portugal - Portuguese Championship 2020/2021, FC Porto versus Benfica - Nuno Tavares of Benfica. Photo: Daniel Castro
15th January 2021 Dragao Stadium, Porto, Portugal – Portuguese Championship 2020/2021, FC Porto versus Benfica – Nuno Tavares of Benfica. Photo: Daniel Castro

During his visit, Tavares acknowledged his contentment over Benfica’s recent national title win, a victory that brought him joy, given his roots with the club.

“Whenever Benfica wins something, I’m very happy, obviously, and it’s always good,” he expressed, indicating the strong bond he still shares with his training club.

Although he wished for more opportunities at Benfica, Tavares has no regrets regarding his career trajectory.

After signing for Arsenal, he was loaned out to Marseille, where he has had the best season of his career to date, playing 39 games and scoring six goals.

Praising his fellow players

Nuno Tavares with the Portugal u21s (Photo via Planet Football)
Nuno Tavares with the Portugal u21s (Photo via Planet Football)

In the midst of his nostalgia, Tavares had words of admiration for his Marseille teammate, Vitinha.

Despite a slow start, Tavares lauded Vitinha’s consistent improvement and expressed faith in his potential for success.

This visit served not just as a personal journey for Tavares but also as an affirmation of the bond he shares with his roots, his training club, Benfica, and his appreciation for his fellow players.

Even as he makes strides in his career, the young footballer clearly hasn’t forgotten where he came from.