The story between Natan and Napoli ends here. With a dry statement on the official website, the Neapolitan club announced that Real Betis Balompié has exercised its option to permanently purchase the Brazilian defender.
Arriving in the summer of 2023 amidst high expectations and curiosity, Natan Bernardo de Souza hasn't managed to consistently establish himself in the Azzurri jersey. Between technical choices and difficulties settling in, the 2001-born centre-back has made few appearances, often finding himself on the fringes of the project.
Now a new phase of his career opens up in La Liga, where Betis has decided to bet on his potential. "We wish Natan the best of luck for the rest of his sporting career ," Napoli wrote, bidding him farewell without too many frills. A farewell that feels more like a liberation than a heartfelt farewell.
Natan's situation with Napoli seems to have been complicated and difficult to manage, but I hope that at Real Betis he can find the right opportunities to demonstrate his value in professional football. It is always sad to see a player leave a team, but sometimes it is necessary for one's growth.