Nélson Augusto Tomar Marcos (born 10 June 1983), known simply as Nélson, is a former professional footballer who played as a right-back.
After making a name for himself at Benfica, appearing in 101 official games over three seasons, he went on to spend the vast majority of his career in Spain, representing Betis, Osasuna, Almería and Alcorcón. He also played in Italy and Cyprus.
Born in Cape Verde, Nélson won four caps for the Portugal national team in three years.
Club career Early years Born in Sal, Cape Verde, Nélson started his professional career with Vilanovense. He began making a name in the Primeira Liga with Boavista, having joined from soon-to-be-extinct Salgueiros also in Porto.
In May 2005, Nélson was involved in a car crash along with former Boavista player José Bosingwa, who represented Porto at the time. The latter, behind the wheel of his jeep at the time of the accident, was travelling too quickly and due to wet conditions he crashed the car into an embankment which was followed by the car bursting into flames; one passenger required his foot to be amputated, whilst the other three were unharmed.
Benfica Nélson signed a five-year contract with Benfica in summer 2005, for €1.5 million. He made the right-back spot his own upon his arrival, making 25 appearances during his first season; in the 2006–07 campaign, he was also a starter.
In the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League, after having faced Manchester United in the same competition and stage the season before, Nélson scored with a long-range shot into Edwin van der Sar's top-right hand corner at Old Trafford on 6 December 2006; eventually, the game was lost 3–1 and his team had to settle for a place in the UEFA Cup after finishing third.
Betis
In late August 2008, Nélson joined Real Betis in Spain for €6 million, on a five-year deal. He quickly became a starter, as the Andalusian club was eventually relegated.
On 30 August 2010, Nélson was loaned to Osasuna, with the Navarrese having an option to make the move permanent at the season's end. Battling with Damià for first-choice status throughout the vast majority of the campaign, he netted on 20 December in a 4–0 away victory over Hércules, his first goal in over four years.
On 11 May 2011, in the last minute of the first half of a La Liga home fixture against Sevilla (3–2 home win), Nélson collided with opponent Lautaro Acosta, fracturing his left ankle in the outcome.Osasuna hit back for stunning win; ESPN Soccernet, 11 May 2011 His injury was not as serious as initially expected though.El susto de Nelson se queda en luxación del astrágalo (Nelson scare just a talus bone dislocation); Marca, 12 May 2011 (in Spanish)
Nélson spent the first part of 2011–12, with Betis again in the top division, recovering from his condition. On 4 December 2011, in one of his first bench appearances, he was caught on camera talking to his previous side Osasuna's assistant manager Alfredo, leading to rumours that he was filtering his team's lineup to the opposition, which was denied by both parties.Nelson se mete en un lío (Nelson in hot waters); Diario de Navarra, 7 December 2011 (in Spanish)Alfredo niega que Nelson les filtrara información del Betis antes del partido (Alfredo denies Nelson filtered information on Betis before match) ; Noticias de Navarra, 7 December 2011 (in Spanish)
On 11 February 2012, in his first match for the Verdiblancos upon his return, Nélson scored from long distance in the 90th minute of a 2–1 home defeat of Athletic Bilbao.; ESPN Soccernet, 11 February 2012
Palermo On 28 January 2013, days after being released by Betis, Nélson moved to Italy's Palermo, agreeing to a contract until June 2015 and rejoining his former Benfica teammate Fabrizio Miccoli. He scored on his Serie A debut the following week, but his late backheel goal could not help prevent a 1–2 home loss to Atalanta.
Nélson returned to Spain and its top flight on 2 August 2013, signing with Almería in a season-long loan deal.Nelson se convierte en el séptimo fichaje del Almería para la próxima temporada (Nélson becomes Almería's seventh signing for the following season) ; UD Almería, 2 August 2013 (in Spanish) He subsequently returned to Palermo, but was immediately deemed surplus to requirements and was not even called up for pre-season camp; his link was terminated by mutual consent in August 2014.
Later career In September 2014, the free agent Nélson joined Belenenses. He made his competitive debut on 13 September, featuring as a right midfielder and playing 78 minutes of the 1–1 away draw against Sporting CP.
Nélson returned to Spain on 29 July 2015, signing a one-year deal with Alcorcón. He retired aged 35, his last club having been Cypriot First Division's AEK Larnaca.
International career Nélson was granted Portuguese citizenship in December 2005, and played in the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.Nélson pride at Portugal call; UEFA, 23 February 2006 He received his first call-up to the senior team in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Kazakhstan on 15 November 2006, but did not leave the bench.
Nélson finally made his full debut on 31 March 2009, appearing in a 2–0 friendly win with South Africa in Lausanne, Switzerland.; UEFA, 31 March 2009
Career statistics ClubSeasonLeagueCupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsVilanovense 2000–01Segunda Divisão5000—502001–02Segunda Divisão27010—280Total32010—330Salgueiros 2003–04Segunda Liga27230—302Boavista 2004–05Primeira Liga23120—251Benfica 2005–06Primeira Liga25020703402006–07Primeira Liga28030613712007–08Primeira Liga1905060300Total7201001911011Betis 2008–09La Liga35010—3602009–10Segunda División22010—2302011–12La Liga14110—1512012–13La Liga10000—100Total81130—841Osasuna (loan)2010–11La Liga29120—312Palermo2012–13Serie A8100—81Almería (loan)2013–14La Liga14010—150Belenenses2014–15Primeira Liga27060—330Alcorcón2015–16Segunda División36000—3602016–17Segunda División19070—260Total55070—620AEK Larnaca2017–18Cypriot First Division2705000320Career total39564001914547
Honours AEK Larnaca Cypriot Cup: 2017–18
References
External links