also scored a historic goal against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. He also scored the winning goal against Olympiacos in Rizoupoli Stadium at the stoppage time. In the summer of 2004, Katsouranis remained at AEK, despite several offers, having agreed a new three-year contract, while most of his teammates from the previous campaign had acted on their frustration and left. In the fevered atmosphere that saw AEK's gates quadruple as fans flocked to support the club under new president and former player, Demis Nikolaidis, Katsouranis adopted a special place in supporters' hearts. That season would prove to be one of Katsouranis' greatest seasons with the club, as he scored 10 times in 28 appearances despite playing in the midfield, leading the club for the title race, while he was voted as the best Greek footballer of the championship. AEK managed to finish third despite the big cut in the team's budget. Werder Bremen expressed strong interest for the Greek international, but both Katsouranis and Nikolaidis decided to reject the offer. Despite radical changes to the squad in the first season under Nikolaidis, players, fans and club staff came together to create an electrified atmosphere at every AEK game. Led by captain Katsouranis, the team responded with great performances, only missing the championship on the final day of the campaign. Everyone connected with the club was united for one purpose: the team, said Katsouranis. First we had to make the club financially healthy, and then to make sure everything was well organised. In the 2005–06 season, Katsouranis led the club to a second-place finish in the league, which brought them to the UEFA Champions League. At the end of the season, Santos was sacked and Katsouranis wanted to play to a bigger club and further his career abroad. He was signed by Benfica for a fee of €2.3 million plus the proceeds of friendly match in Athens between the two clubs. Benfica Katsouranis signed a four-year contract with Portuguese club Benfica on 22 June 2006, joining his former manager Fernando Santos and his teammate with Greece, Giorgos Karagounis. When he arrived in June, he said "Even if Fernando Santos or Karagounis were not here, I still would have joined. Benfica to me is one of Europe's top clubs and they proved that in the UEFA Champions League. I am here to achieve that same objective and joining Benfica can