André Almeida Match Issued Long-Sleeved Benfica Lissabon Jersey

This long-sleeved SL Benfica home jersey was issued to Portuguese defender *André Almeida* for the 2016–17 season. Manufactured by Adidas in its lightweight Adizero player specification, the jersey is constructed from red performance fabric with a white V-neck collar, white sleeve details and the brand’s three stripes running vertically along the sides. The front features the Adidas logo, Benfica’s historic eagle crest with three championship stars and the “Fly Emirates” principal sponsor. Positioned between the Adidas logo and the club crest is the gold “Campeão” emblem, identifying Benfica as the defending Portuguese champion. Official Liga NOS competition patches appear on the sleeves, establishing the jersey as a domestic league configuration rather than the club’s UEFA version. The reverse carries “A. ALMEIDA” above the number 34. The white nameset and numerals feature black outlines and a reflective geometric surface pattern, with Liga NOS identifiers incorporated into the lower section of both digits. Additional player-specification details include the Adizero marking near the lower front hem, the numerical size 8 printed inside the collar and the “SOU DO BENFICA” inscription at the back of the neckline. The long-sleeved construction, Adizero material, player-sized numerical designation, official competition patches and professionally applied Almeida nameset distinguish the jersey from the standard commercial supporter version. It is classified as player issued; no definitive evidence currently establishes use in a specific match.

The 2016–17 season became one of the defining campaigns in the modern history of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. Entering the year as three-time defending Portuguese champions, Benfica successfully retained the Primeira Liga title and became the first team in club history to win four consecutive league championships. The achievement became known as the “Tetra” and delivered the club’s record-extending 36th Portuguese league title. Benfica’s domestic success extended beyond the league. Rui Vitória’s team defeated Vitória de Guimarães in the Taça de Portugal final, completing the club’s eleventh domestic league-and-cup double. Combined with the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira won at the beginning of the season, the campaign produced a historic domestic treble. In European competition, Benfica progressed from the UEFA Champions League group stage before reaching the Round of 16. André Gomes Magalhães de Almeida was an important and highly versatile member of this successful Benfica generation. Born in Lisbon in 1990, Almeida could operate as a right-back, left-back or defensive midfielder. His tactical flexibility and willingness to fill several positions made him a dependable squad member across domestic and European competitions. Almeida joined Benfica in 2011 and gradually established himself in the first team. He also represented Portugal internationally and was selected for the country’s squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. During his long association with Benfica, the number 34 became closely identified with him. He remained with the Lisbon club until the conclusion of his playing career, making him one of the longest-serving members of Benfica’s successful modern era. This player-issued jersey was prepared for Almeida’s use in domestic Liga NOS competition during the historic 2016–17 campaign. Its gold “Campeão” badge references the championship won in the preceding season, while the official league patches, professional Adizero construction and individualized number 34 nameset document its intended place within Benfica’s first-team equipment. Although no individual match use has currently been established, the jersey represents a historically significant Benfica season: the completion of the unprecedented “Tetra,” another Portuguese Cup triumph and the continued development of André Almeida into one of the club’s most trusted and versatile players.