NewsCeltic stars trade banter after Benfica title win amid Jota Bench-fica jibe

Celtic stars trade banter after Benfica title win amid Jota Bench-fica jibe

TWO Celtic stars have hilariously traded banter following Benfica’s title win at the weekend, after winger Jota was the butt of a scathing joke earlier this month.

Jota had double the cause for celebration after his former team clinched the Portuguese Primeira Liga title yesterday as Celtic simultaneously commemorated winning the Scottish Premiership.

The 24-year-old congratulated his former side on their victory, but team mate Alistair Johnston decided to sit the celebrations out after previously teasing his pal over his history at the Portuguese side.

Jota pictured in a retro Benfica top
Jota celebrated the Lisbon side’s success by sharing an image to Instagram. Credit: Instagram

The pair had left fans in stitches following an interview earlier this month which saw them quizzed on each other alongside defender Carl Starfelt.

When Johnston was asked where the Hoops had signed Jota, he replied “Bench-fica” leaving fans wondering whether he was teasing his mate’s accent or the lack of Jota’s playing time at his former club.

The Parkhead winger took to Instagram last night to congratulate Benfica’s Primeira Liga win with the caption: “Habemus Benfica.”

The Portuguese accompanied the caption – which translates to “We are Benfica” – with a black and white picture of himself sporting his trademark mullet and clad in a retro Benfica shirt.

His post received more than 56,000 likes and over 600 comments from fans.

Canadian team-mate Johnston wasted little time in quickly getting his jibe in, joking: “No comment.”

Fans were quick to praise Johnston for his sense of humour whilst Benfica fans ordered him to respect the “best club in the world”.

One said: “Underrated patter.”

Another added: “Benchfica.”

A third replied: “Benfica is the greatest club on earth.”

Another remarked: “[Benfica] is really better, respect the best club in the world.”

Jota himself commented under the right-back’s message, writing: “You’re always welcome mate.”

The pair will put their banter to one side as they look to guide Celtic to a treble this Saturday against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Hampden Park.

A win would see Celtic secure a record eighth treble and their fifth in the last seven seasons.

Related Stories