Veteran striker Nuno Gomes leaves Benfica

LISBON (AFP) - Veteran Portuguese striker Nuno Gomes, 35, announced on Wednesday that he is leaving Benfica for the second time.

"I've been informed that Benfica have definitively decided not to prolong my contract," announced Gomes, who won 77 caps for Portugal, on his website.

"I now feel free to analyse all the propositions that could be forthcoming and choose my future."

Benfica said they had offered Gomes a back-room role at the club but Gomes said he hoped to continue playing "for at least an extra season".

The former Benfica captain made just six league appearances last season but still managed to score four goals.

Gomes began his career with Boavista in 1994 and joined Benfica in 1997, returning to the Lisbon club in 2002 after two seasons with Fiorentina in Italy.

He won two league titles with Benfica and is also the fourth-highest goalscorer in the history of the Portuguese national team with 29 goals.