Alfa Semedo's profile

From Guinea to Portugal. It was in his homeland take he started playing football, but it was at Benfica that prepared him for the professional football world. After two seasons away, Alfa Semedo Esteves is back to Luz.

A 1,90-cm tall holding midfielder, born in Bissau, it was at the club from his hometown– Fidjus di Bideras – that he started playing football. He remained there until 2014/15 when he moved to Benfica's U-19 team, where he remained two years.

46 matches (between National Championship and UEFA Youth League), 2992 minutes played and 12 goals scored. This is the balance of two seasons with Benfica's emblem on his chest. Three years later, he is back…

Loaned out by the Reds, he made his Senior debut in 2016/17 at Vilafranquense. The Campeonato de Portugal, where he was a starter, was followed by the First Division. Alfa Semedo reached the Portuguese football top flight by the hand of Moreirense – where, in two seasons, where played 68 matches and scored seven goals (34 official matches, 28 for the Liga NOS and three goals scored if we only take into account what happened in 2017/18).

During his spell at Vilafranquense, his teammate called him “Guinean Pogba” because at the time he was a number 8 that had the capacity to arrive at the box. However, at Moreira de Cónegos moved back a few meters, to the position of defensive midfielder.

"Physically he has a fantastic capacity"

It is as the former coach of Vilafranquense that José Sousa applauds Benfica's bet on Alfa Semedo.

"Physically he has a fantastic capacity, he is very tall and he is a very strong player", he described, sure that Alfa Semedo his already "mentally prepared" to win a spot on Rui Vitória's team.

At the age of 20 (30/08/1997) he is now under the Coach from Ribatejo, - having already carried out the usual medical and physical tests and integrated two training sessions –with a contract valid for five seasons (until 2023).

ALFA SEMEDO'S NUMBERS