Jaime Mercês Explained

Jaime
Fullname:Jaime Jerónimo das Mercês
Birth Date:27 September 1963
Birth Place:Cova da Piedade, Portugal
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:1978–1980
Youthyears2:1980–1981
Youthclubs2:Amora
Years1:1981–1983
Years2:1983–1992
Years3:1992–1993
Years4:1993–1994
Years5:1994–1995
Years6:1995–1996
Years7:1996–1998
Years8:2000–2001
Clubs8:Amora
Caps1:48
Caps2:211
Caps3:28
Caps4:20
Caps5:27
Caps6:33
Caps7:49
Totalcaps:416
Goals1:2
Goals2:21
Goals3:4
Goals4:1
Goals5:1
Goals6:2
Goals7:3
Totalgoals:34
Nationalyears1:1985–1987
Nationalteam1:Portugal
Nationalcaps1:9
Nationalgoals1:0

Jaime Jerónimo das Mercês (born 27 September 1963), known simply as Jaime, is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a midfielder.

Club career

Jaime was born in Cova da Piedade, Almada. After starting out professionally at lowly Amora FC, then in the Primeira Liga,[1] he signed at the age of 20 with Lisbon-based C.F. Os Belenenses, helping it promote from the Segunda Liga in his first season and remaining a nuclear first-team member the following years, making more than 250 competitive appearances. He helped to a Taça de Portugal 2–1 final win against neighbours S.L. Benfica in 1989[2] and, earlier that campaign, participated in the elimination of UEFA Cup holders Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2–0 on aggregate).[3]

In 1992, Jaime joined Vitória de Setúbal of the second division, helping them return to the top flight. Subsequently, entering his 30s, he resumed his career in the second and third tiers, incidentally finishing his career at his first club Amora at nearly 38.[1]

International career

Jaime earned nine caps for Portugal, eight of those coming after the 1986 FIFA World Cup as practically the entire squad had defected the national team following the Saltillo Affair. His debut came on 12 October 1985, in a 3–2 home victory over Malta during the qualifying stages for that tournament.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Jaime: "Cheguei a pensar que estava acabado para o futebol". Jaime: "I went as far as thinking I was done for football". Record. José Manuel. Paulino. pt. 9 March 2000. 11 October 2021.
  2. Web site: 28/05/1989 – Belenenses ganha a Taça de Portugal pela 3ª vez. 28/05/1989 – Belenenses win the Portuguese Cup for the 3rd time. C.F. Os Belenenses. pt. 28 May 2014. 11 October 2021.
  3. Web site: 12 de Outubro de 1988 – Belenenses elimina campeão em título da Taça UEFA com dupla vitória. 12 October 1988 – Belenenses oust UEFA Cup holders with double win. C.F. Os Belenenses. pt. 12 October 2014. 11 October 2021.
  4. Web site: Lista completa dos internacionais portugueses. Complete list of Portuguese internationals. Mais Futebol. pt. 18 February 2004. 11 October 2021.