Jaime Mercês

Jaime Jerónimo das Mercês (born 27 September 1963 in Cova da Piedade, Almada), known simply as Jaime, is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a midfielder. 

Club career
After starting out professionally at lowly Amora FC, then in the Primeira Liga, Jaime moved at age 20 to Lisbon-based C.F. Os Belenenses, helping it promote from the second division in his first season and continuing in the following years as a nuclear first-team member, amassing more than 250 official appearances; he helped to a Portuguese Cup 2–1 final win against neighbours S.L. Benfica in 1989 and, in the following campaign, participated in the elimination of UEFA Cup holders Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2–0 on aggregate). 

In 1992, Jaime joined Vitória de Setúbal in the second level, helping in 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. 

International career
Jaime gained 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 win over Malta during the qualifying stages for that tournament. 

External links

Portugal stats at Eu-Football

Category:1963 births
Category:Living people
Category:Portuguese footballers
Category:Association football midfielders
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:LigaPro players
Category:Portuguese Second Division players
Category:Amora F.C. players
Category:C.F. Os Belenenses players
Category:Vitória F.C. players
Category:A.D. Ovarense players
Category:Atlético Clube de Portugal players
Category:Portugal youth international footballers
Category:Portugal under-21 international footballers
Category:Portugal international footballers