10/10
Shirt condition
Perfect condition
I couldn't find anything to fault. The red is bright and even, with no faded area, and the ribbed AEROREADY knit shows no pilling. The V-neck isn't stretched, the three black shoulder stripes are crisp and the Emirates sponsor is intact. The VERTONGHEN 5 printing is smooth, with no cracking and no lifting edges.
| Size |
S — regular adidas fit, on the long side |
| Manufacturer |
adidas — ribbed AEROREADY fabric, supporter version |
| Season |
2020-2021 — Jan Vertonghen's first season in Lisbon |
| Version |
Red home shirt, V-neck, three black stripes on the shoulders |
| Sponsor |
Emirates "Fly Better" on the chest, Sagres on the back |
| Printing |
VERTONGHEN No.5 on the back, golden yellow |
| Patches |
Europa League and Respect on the sleeves — applied in my workshop
|
| Production date |
March 2020 (03/20 on the label) |
| Auth. code |
GJ9537 (on the label, independently verifiable)
|
Not sure about the size? This S measures 48 x 73 cm: compare with the flat measurements below, or check my size guide.
Flat measurements
| Width (pit to pit) |
48 cm |
| Length (shoulder to hem) |
73 cm |
A straight adidas S, with generous body length for the size. Lay a shirt that fits you well flat, measure it the same way and compare.
100% AUTHENTIC
✦ Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Item checked by hand in my authentication workshop. If an item bought from me ever turned out not to be authentic, I refund it in full. No expiry date: only original pieces, never modern reissues.
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adidas inner label: model code GJ9537, production date 03/20 and factory code AV1007, cleanly printed on the satin (photo 4)
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Benfica crest: eagle with spread wings, "E Pluribus Unum" motto, SLB shield and three stars above, fine and perfectly legible details (photo 3)
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AEROREADY fabric: knit with fine vertical ribs, light and breathable, AEROREADY mark at the bottom of the front (photos 2 and 3)
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Finishing: gold adidas logo, ribbed V-neck, three black stripes on the shoulders (photos 2 and 3)
Workshop note — Code GJ9537 matches Benfica's 2020-2021 home shirt, and the 03/20 date places its production in spring 2020, a few months before the season launched. The printing and sleeve badges were applied in my workshop: I never use them as proof, my expertise covers the shirt itself.
Vertonghen and the return of Jorge Jesus
Summer 2020: after eight seasons at Tottenham, Jan Vertonghen joins Benfica on a free transfer. The Belgian defender, his country's most-capped player, takes the number 5 in the team that Jorge Jesus, back at the club, sets out to rebuild.
September 2020: beaten by PAOK in the Champions League third qualifying round, Benfica drop into the Europa League.
February 2021: in the Europa League round of 32, Benfica go out to Arsenal (1-1, then 3-2), two games moved to Rome and Piraeus because of health restrictions.
The league ends in third place, behind champions Sporting and FC Porto, and the Portuguese Cup final is lost to Braga. A transition season, anchored at the back by Vertonghen's experience.
Frequently asked questions
What is "Sagres" on the back?
Sagres is a Portuguese brewery and a long-standing club partner. Its gold logo with the Portuguese shield appears on the back of Benfica shirts from this era, above the player's name.
What do the label codes mean?
03/20 is the production date (March 2020), GJ9537 the adidas model code for the Benfica 2020-2021 home shirt, and AV1007 the factory code. You can search GJ9537 online to check the model yourself.
How can I check the shirt is authentic?
Look at the inner label: code GJ9537 and date 03/20 should be there. The crest should clearly show the "E Pluribus Unum" motto and the SLB letters, and the knit should have fine, regular vertical ribs.
How does this S fit?
True to size in width, a little long: 48 cm pit to pit and 73 cm long. If you wear S on the high street, it will fit you with a straight cut that covers the waistband well.
How much is shipping and how long does it take?
Dispatched within 24-48 h with tracking: €5.99 in France, €9.99 to the EU, and free from €99.99. You have 14 days to send the shirt back if it doesn't suit you. All the details are in my shipping FAQ.