Last Monday, Movistar Inter informed Rafael Nogueira da Silva, known as Fits, of their intention to terminate his contract a year early. This decision came as a shock to the Brazilian center. Especially since the Madrid club had turned down a €100,000 offer from Barça for their top scorer just a month ago. In May, Inter refused to negotiate with Barcelona, who wanted Fits to replace Ferrao (Semey of Kazakhstan), but now in June, they suddenly want to let him go. It’s worth noting that the Brazilian international joined in December 2022 after Movistar Inter paid €40,000 to Anderlecht, and now he could leave for free.
The news spread quickly among the sporting directors of the First Division. Creating disbelief that a sought-after left-footed pivot could be available on a free transfer. However, Movistar Inter’s technical secretary, César Muñoz, confirmed the news. Fits’ agency, New Futsal, received numerous calls from clubs such as Hidalgo Manzanares Quesos, Viña Albali Valdepeñas, Jimbee Cartagena, and Jaén Paraíso Interior, as well as Braga, the recent finalist in Portugal’s Liga Placard.
Terminating contract
During negotiations for terminating the contract, the Madrid club offered Fits the option to play on loan at Tudelano Ribera de Navarra for the remaining year, maintaining the agreed financial terms. Fits declined this offer, preferring to be free to decide his future, especially with his vacation in Brazil approaching.
In Barcelona, there was also surprise. After considering and then ruling out Vinicius Rocha (Benfica) and failing to sign Allan (Braga, who will join Sporting), Fits had been a specific request from Tino Perez, the new Barça coach. However, the club manager, Jordi Torras, could not reach an agreement with Movistar Inter, who insisted on the player’s release clause of €600,000.
Following their defeat by Mallorca Palma Futsal in the UEFA Futsal Champions League final, Barça decided against a major investment for a pivot and instead renewed the injured Álex Yepes. With the signings of Eric Martel, Nakata (Valdepeñas), and Moroccan international Khalid Bouzid (Santa Coloma), Torras has completed the squad.
Fits leaving Movistar
Fits won’t be the only player leaving Movistar Inter after three titleless seasons and failing to reach a final this season. The club has also informed Jovan Lazarevic, who is under contract until 2026, that they do not require his services. Finnish defender Jani Korpela, contracted until 2025, will also not continue with the team and might either terminate his contract or go out on loan.
Despite their quarter-final elimination by Jimbee Cartagena, Alberto Riquer is expected to remain as coach. The club has announced three new signings from Cartagena (Lucao, Javi Minguez, and Bebe), along with Chaguinha (Palma Futsal). They are still seeking a left-winger and will also see the return of Carlos Bartolomé. José Antonio Raya, who has suffered his third right knee injury in two years, will not return. Nacho Gómez, on loan to Tudelano Ribera Navarra, will join Wanapix Zaragoza, recently promoted to the First Division.
The club is also considering recalling Brazilian Lucas Rocha, currently on loan to Fundao in Portugal. Goalkeepers Jesus Herrero and Jesus Garcia, along with players Raul Gomez, Pablo Ordonez, Brazilian Terry Prestjord, and Cecilio Morales, have valid contracts, while Slovakian Thomas Drahovsky has renewed. Japanese Kaito Yamada, Sergio Sierra ‘Sepe’, Rubén Lemos ‘Rubi’, and Humberto Ribeiro will return to Quesos El Hidalgo Manzanares. With Fits’ departure, Riquer will be left without a specific pivot in the squad.
