In the summer of 2005 he was bought by S.L. Benfica of the Primeira Liga. He made his Benfica debut in the 2005 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira against Vitória de Setúbal on 13 August. Anderson would play alongside Luisão and help his side claim their first Supertaça in sixteen years. He would make his league debut on 20 August against Académica de Coimbra at the Estádio Cidade de Coimbra in a goalless draw. He would score his first league goal for Benfica on 18 September in a league game at the Estádio da Luz in 4–0 victory over União de Leiria.