Hélio Hermito Zampier Neto (born 16 August 1985), commonly known as Neto, is a Brazilian retired footballer, and is the football superintendent of Chapecoense.
Formerly a central defender, Neto is one of just six survivors in the crash of LaMia Flight 2933, which killed 71 people including 19 Chapecoense players.
Personal life His father is called Helam Marinho Zampier. His mother was born as Valéria dos Santos and added Zampier at the end of her full name after her marriage with Helam. The word Neto (Portuguese for "grandson") was added in Hélio's full name as his paternal grandfather was called Hélio Hermito Zampier, too.
Club career Early career Born in Rio de Janeiro, Neto played youth football for Paraná Clube, Vasco da Gama and Francisco Beltrão (twice), making his senior debuts with the latter in 2006 Campeonato Paranaense.No time sub-20 de 2005, Neto era o capitão (In the under-20 team of 2005, Neto was the captain) ; Jornal de Beltrão, 13 January 2014 After being captain in the following years, he moved to Cianorte in 2008.A história do zagueiro Neto como nunca foi contada (The story of defender Neto as never told) ; Jornal de Beltrão, 15 January 2013
Guarani On 1 October 2009 Neto joined Guarani.Após três meses se recuperando de lesão, zagueiro Neto assina com Guarani e fica à disposição (After three months recovering from injury, stopper Neto signs with Guarani and is already available); Futebol Interior, 1 October 2009 After being loaned to Metropolitano in late 2010, he established himself as a regular for Bugre, and on 7 June 2012, renewed his link with the club.Neto ganha reajuste, ignora grandes e renova contrato com o Guarani (Neto gets wage hike, ignores big sides and renews deal with Guarani); Gazeta Esportiva, 7 June 2012
Santos On 8 November 2012 Neto moved to Santos, signing a two-year deal.Santos confirma acerto, e Neto é o primeiro reforço para 2013 (Santos confirms deal, and Neto is the first reinforcement for 2013) ; Placar, 8 November 2012 After a 2013 season marred by injuries (also hindered by the emergence of Gustavo Henrique), he was given more first-team opportunities in 2014, after the latter and Edu Dracena (both regular starters) suffered knee injuries.
Neto was again demoted as a backup after Dracena's recovery and David Braz's ascension, and opted to not renew his link with Peixe, and thus left the club after his link expired.Insatisfeito, Neto não deve renovar contrato com o Santos (Unsatisfied, Neto may not renew his contract with Santos); Globo Esporte, 5 January 2015
Chapecoense On 12 February 2015, Neto signed a one-year contract with fellow top tier club Chapecoense. After struggling with injuries, he became a regular starter during his first campaign, appearing in 23 league games and scoring three goals, one of them in a 3–1 home win against former club Santos. He announced his retirement from the fields on 13 December 2019.
Accident Neto was one of six survivors of LaMia Airlines Flight 2933, which crashed in Colombia on 28 November 2016, killing 71 other passengers. Despite having several injuries when rescued, he underwent surgeries and doctors said he may be able to resume his career, according to the player's father. He was named in the squad for Chape's first Copa Libertadores tie in March 2017. Neto retired in 2019, saying "the pain outweighed the pleasure".
Post-playing career In January 2020, it was announced that Neto would take over as the football superintendent of Chapecoense, following his retirement.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGuarani2010Série A—16230——1922011Série B4013020——190201211018131——322Subtotal15047381——704Metropolitano (loan)2010Série D61————61Santos2013Série A009020——110201411016120——291Subtotal11025140——401Chapecoense2015Série A23330104Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana0—313201680910040—211Subtotal3131211080—524Career total634845131800016810
Honours Chapecoense Campeonato Catarinense: 2016 Copa Sudamericana: 2016
References