SL Benfica Home Shirt 2001/02 – Simão Sabrosa – N.20 – Vintage Player Issued – adidas – Vodafone – Primeira Liga

The Simão Sabrosa Vintage Jersey: A Relic from the Great Return to Benfica

The first official Sport Lisboa e Benfica jersey for the 2001/2002 season in Player Issued version is a vintage relic of extraordinary historical and collectible value, directly linked to the arrival of one of the most anticipated players in the recent history of the Portuguese club. Made by adidas in an elegant bright red with a distinctive white V-panel on the chest—one of the most iconic designs of the adidas-Benfica collaboration of the 2000s—the jersey features the Vodafone sponsor on the front, while the name of Banco Espírito Santo is prominently displayed on the back. The white polo collar and white trim on the sleeves complete a design that perfectly represents the aesthetic of European football at the turn of the millennium. The name SIMÃO and the number 20 are applied in white on the back in team-issue print. Made in Portugal, as per the adidas label, with the European arrow sizing system typical of adidas production of that period. Size XL. A vintage jersey over twenty years old, whose state of preservation needs to be physically verified, but which represents an authentic document of a unique moment in Benfica's history.

The Player: Simão Sabrosa

Simão Pedro Fonseca Sabrosa (Constantim, October 31, 1979) is one of the most talented Portuguese footballers of his generation, a left winger of rare technical quality with speed and dribbling among the most appreciated in European football of the 2000s. He grew up in the Sporting CP youth academy, quickly establishing himself as one of the brightest prospects in Portuguese football before moving to Barcelona in 1999. In July 2001, Benfica acquired him for 12 million euros—a record sum for the club at the time—and Simão immediately became the symbol of the new Benfica era. In that first season at Da Luz, he immediately won the hearts of the red faithful, scoring decisive goals and leading Benfica in a long chase for the title. The following season, 2002/03, marked his individual peak with 18 league goals and recognition as the Primeira Liga's top scorer. Between 2001 and 2007, Simão became one of the most beloved faces in Benfica's recent history, contributing to the conquest of the 2005 title—the club's first Portuguese championship after a 15-year wait.

What is a Vintage Player Issued Jersey?

A Vintage Player Issued jersey is a kit produced for a specific player's team supply, dating back at least 20 years. It differs from the commercial version of the era by professional match finishes, the player's name and number applied according to official supply standards, and technical competition materials. The term Vintage simply indicates the temporal placement of the piece—produced in a bygone era—and accentuates its collectible value, rarely available in intact condition more than twenty years later. These jerseys represent material documents of a specific era of football, with sponsors, designs, and technologies that perfectly reflect their time and are by definition impossible to replicate.

Authenticity and MTM Guarantee

MTM Memorabilia is the Italian benchmark for demanding collectors of authentic sports memorabilia. Each jersey is selected with rigorous criteria of authenticity, provenance, and quality by our experts. The originality of this item is guaranteed directly by MTM. Each shipment is made with rigid, shockproof, and humidity-proof packaging to ensure maximum protection during transport. Express courier with delivery within 24/72 hours from payment confirmation, both for Italy and abroad.