300 Dias

André Almeida, captain of Benfica, active player with more titles at the service of the Club, is seriously injured in Vila do Conde, at the start of the season. October 18, 2020 is the "zero day" of the longest ordeal in the sporting life of the all-rounder.

There is bad and good news for André Almeida. It is a "triple injury", considered extremely serious, but the surgery is going well. These are challenging times, with several nights spent in white on the same sofa that André Almeida shares with a "guardian angel". Under the hands of a very special physiotherapist, recovery begins. And as for the friends, they too want to be there.

With his return to Benfica Campus, André Almeida climbs one more step in his recovery. And each new move, or each degree, is a real achievement. André Almeida's presence at Seixal is effusively welcomed by everyone. The right time for reflection on friendship, references in professional life and the importance of family. Jorge Jesus tries to find out about the recovery. And André Almeida, at the time of the first rides, has a chilling surprise.

It is in the pool that André Almeida takes his first steps. These are new sensations and not all of them positive. Christmas is approaching and André Almeida tries to surprise the family. The numbers of the pandemic grow in Portugal and Benfica is facing an outbreak: almost all the players and other elements of the working group are infected. Sports results are now negative. It is time for André Almeida to assume, more than ever, the captain's armband, even without playing. Both in front of the team and in front of the family…

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak that devastated Benfica Campus, André Almeida decided, on his own initiative, to live in isolation to safeguard his family. These are particularly difficult days, but a new four-legged friend takes on special importance. The recovery speeds up and the natural "growing pains" arrive. It is a time for optimism, but also for curiosity. And good news: André Almeida starts running on the pitch.

The recovery phase is of great physical demand and, therefore, knee pain as well. The first doubts arise, side by side with other strong emotions. A mix of feelings comparable to the great goals scored with Benfica's shirt. One of them is still remembered today for the emotional family dedication. André Almeida wants to be on top of everything and the resilience with which he overcomes injuries further underscores his strong personality.

Through the voice of Jorge Jesus, one of the few four-time champions for Benfica, serves as an example to a young promise. The tactical importance of André Almeida in the Benfica coach's ideas comes out even more. The medical team assesses recovery and sets goals. The journey is already long and it is time to reflect on what it means to be a footballer. In a training as special as unexpected, a childhood idol, now President, helps André Almeida.

With the physical indices and confidence growing, André Almeida's unique competitive spirit emerges: all barriers are to be overcome. The medical team authorizes the player's return to training. The teammates live with emotion this very decisive step in the captain's full return. But the defeat in the final of the Portuguese Cup cools emotions. It has the word André Almeida, which points to the future and the union of all.

André Almeida gives up on vacation to prepare for the new season and thus save time. But an unexpected blow robs him of two weeks of work, raising some doubts. It is in this scenario of advances and setbacks that André tries to relax. Ideal time to pay attention to some of the key people in your sporting life. And in this long recovery.

André Almeida accelerates towards full recovery. Benfica is going through a challenging moment and it's time for the big names to take the course of victory, on and off the field. The results reflect this joint strength. And it is in this network of emotions that André Almeida's name appears in the call. A possible return is in the air, the most awaited moment could happen tomorrow. These are hours of intense vertigo for André Almeida.

The long-awaited moment, 300 days later! Thousands of hours of work and sacrifice will condense at this moment when André Almeida is back on the pitch wearing Benfica's shirt. In Luz, he receives from the hand of Otamendi the captain's armband and the public reserves him a tremendous ovation. André Almeida faces a flurry of emotions in a growing tension: he overcame the biggest challenge of his career. The captain is back!