Full name Jardel Nivaldo Vieira Playing position 2002–2004 Avaí Weight 85 kg Salary 150,000 EUR (2011) | Place of birth Florianópolis, Brazil Number 33 Height 1.92 m Career start 2004 | |
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Date of birth (1986-03-29) 29 March 1986 (age 30) Current team S.L. Benfica (#33 / Defender) Similar André Almeida, Andreas Samaris, Luisão, Pizzi, Ljubomir Fejsa Profiles | ||
Jardel Nivaldo Vieira (born 29 March 1986), known simply as Jardel, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Portuguese club Benfica.
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Brazil
Born in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Jardel was an Avaí FC youth graduate. Signing his first professional contract at the age of only 16, being promoted to the first team.
In March 2005, Jardel joined Esporte Clube Vitória, winning the year's Campeonato Baiano while at the club. After suffering relegation from Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, he signed for Santos FC on 15 January 2006.
Jardel left Peixe in December 2006 after making no appearances and struggling severely with injuries. He subsequently represented Iraty Sport Club, Avaí, Joinville Esporte Clube, Ituano FC and Desportivo Brasil before moving abroad.
Portugal
In 2009, Jardel moved to Portugal, where he would remain in the following years. He played one season with G.D. Estoril Praia in the second division where he only missed two league games, then signed with S.C. Olhanense in the top level.
Benfica
In January 2011, Jardel joined Portuguese club S.L. Benfica for a €500,000 transfer fee, replacing Chelsea-bound David Luiz. After two months of sporadic appearances, then manager Jorge Jesus dropped Sidnei and immediately inserted Jardel into the first team's starting lineup. On 28 April, he scored his first goal for the Lisbon side, in a 2–1 home win against S.C Braga for the campaign's UEFA Europa League semi-finals (2–2 aggregate loss), He finished his first season with 16 appearances and won his first piece of silverware.
The following season, Jardel made 18 appearances, serving mostly as backup to Luisão and Ezequiel Garay. He started the 2012–13 season with Benfica's reserves in division two. After Luisão's two-month suspension, however, he was propelled directly into the first team's starting XI. During the 2013–14 season, like his 2011–12 season, he made 18 appearances, serving backup to Luisão and Ezequiel Garay. However, he enjoyed success as the club won the domestic treble.
After the departure of Ezequiel Garay to Zenit Saint Petersburg, Jardel became a mainstay in Benfica's starting lineup. On 4 January 2015, Jardel scored his first goal for Benfica in the Primeira Liga, away at F.C. Penafiel (0–3). On 8 February 2015, Jardel scored a crucial last-minute goal to tie the Derby de Lisboa (1–1) in the Primeira Liga. He helped the club win their second straight Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga
In the 2015–16 season, Jardel enjoyed his best ever season, appearing in 44 games and scoring 5 goals. He played alongside three different centre-backs, Luisão, Lisandro López and Victor Lindelöf, during the variation of the season. He scored the winner against Vitória de Setúbal (2–1) at the Estádio da Luz in the first half, securing Benfica's lead in the Primeira Liga. For the third straight season, he won the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga.