Napoli Terminates Contract with Veteran Defender Mário Rui
Napoli has officially terminated the contract of Portuguese left-back Mário Rui after seven years, allowing him to join another club as a free agent.
Napoli has announced the mutual termination of their contract with veteran left-back Mário Rui. Despite having a contract until June 2026, limited playing time this season led both parties to this decision, enabling Rui to seek opportunities elsewhere as a free agent.
In an official statement, Napoli expressed gratitude for Rui's contributions: 'We thank Mário Rui for his commitment and efforts during his years at Napoli and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.'
Rui, 33, joined Napoli in 2017 after a successful stint with AS Roma. Over seven seasons, he made 180 appearances for the club, scoring three goals. Standing at 168 cm, he was among the shorter players in Serie A.
Internationally, Rui represented Portugal from 2018 to 2022, earning 12 caps and participating in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His honors include a Serie A title and a Coppa Italia victory with Napoli, as well as a UEFA Nations League triumph with Portugal in 2019.
This season, Rui did not feature in any matches for Napoli, contrasting with his 21 domestic and four UEFA Champions League appearances in the previous campaign. His departure marks the first exit under manager Antonio Conte during the winter transfer window.
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