Nélson Marcos
Encyclopedia
Nélson Augusto Tomar Marcos (born 10 June 1983 in Ilha do Sal, Cape Verde
), simply Nélson, is a Portuguese
footballer of Cape Verde
an descent who plays for Real Betis
in Spain
, as a right defender.
. He began making a name in the Portuguese first division with Boavista FC, having joined from soon-to-be-extinct side of S.C. Salgueiros, also in Porto
.
In May 2005, he was involved in a car crash along with fellow Portuguese footballer and former Boavista player José Bosingwa
. Bosingwa, 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; the other three were unharmed.
1.5 million in 2005, on a five-year contract. He made the right-back spot his own upon his arrival, making twenty-five appearances during his first season. In the 2006–07, he was equally impressive.
In the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League, after having faced Manchester United
in the same competition
and stage the season before (Benfica won its home game, and the English
finished bottom, eliminated from European competition as the encarnados reached the last eight), Nélson scored a fantastic goal 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 1–3 and Benfica had to settle for the third UEFA Cup spot.
in La Liga
for €6 million in late August 2008, on a five-year contract. He quickly became an automatic first-choice, as the Andalusia
outfit was eventually relegated.
On 31 August 2010, Nélson was loaned to CA Osasuna
, with the Navarre
se 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 scored on 20 December 2010 in a 4–0 win at Hércules CF
, his first goal in over four years.
On 11 May 2011, in the last minute of the first half of a home fixture against Sevilla FC
(eventual 3–2 home win), Nélson collided with opponent Lautaro Acosta
, fracturing his left ankle
in the outcome.
. He received his first call-up to the senior side
in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Kazakhstan
, on November 15, 2006, but did not leave the bench.
On 31 March 2009, Nélson finally made his full debut, appearing in a 2–0 friendly win with South Africa
, in Lausanne
, Switzerland
.
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
), simply Nélson, is a Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
footballer of Cape Verde
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
an descent who plays for Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, as a right defender.
Early years
Nélson started his professional career with Vilanovense FCVilanovense F.C.
Vilanovense Futebol Clube is a Portuguese football club based in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto District.-Notable former players: Joël Bouchoucha André Macanga Nélson Leo Hulk Chico Silva Bruno Vale-External links:*...
. He began making a name in the Portuguese first division with Boavista FC, having joined from soon-to-be-extinct side of S.C. Salgueiros, also in Porto
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
.
In May 2005, he was involved in a car crash along with fellow Portuguese footballer and former Boavista player José Bosingwa
José Bosingwa
José Bosingwa da Silva , known as Bosingwa, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Chelsea in the Premier League, as a right defender.-Early years:...
. Bosingwa, behind the wheel of his jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
at the time of the accident, was travelling too quickly and due to wet conditions he crashed the car into an embankment
Embankment (transportation)
To keep a road or railway line straight or flat, and where the comparative cost or practicality of alternate solutions is prohibitive, the land over which the road or rail line will travel is built up to form an embankment. An embankment is therefore in some sense the opposite of a cutting, and...
which was followed by the car bursting into flames. One passenger required his foot to be amputated; the other three were unharmed.
Benfica
Nélson joined S.L. Benfica from Boavista for €Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
1.5 million in 2005, on a five-year contract. He made the right-back spot his own upon his arrival, making twenty-five appearances during his first season. In the 2006–07, he was equally impressive.
In the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League, after having faced Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in the same competition
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and stage the season before (Benfica won its home game, and the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
finished bottom, eliminated from European competition as the encarnados reached the last eight), Nélson scored a fantastic goal with a long-range shot into Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
's top-right hand corner at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, on 6 December 2006. Eventually the game was lost 1–3 and Benfica had to settle for the third UEFA Cup spot.
Betis
Nélson signed for Real BetisReal Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
in La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
for €6 million in late August 2008, on a five-year contract. He quickly became an automatic first-choice, as the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
outfit was eventually relegated.
On 31 August 2010, Nélson was loaned to CA Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
, with the Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
se having an option to make the move permanent at the season
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
's end. Battling with Damià
Damià Abella
Damià Abella Pérez , simply Damià, is a Spanish footballer who plays for CA Osasuna in La Liga.Mainly a midfielder, he can also operate as a defender, always on the right side of the pitch.-Club career:...
for first-choice status throughout the vast majority of the campaign, he scored on 20 December 2010 in a 4–0 win at Hércules CF
Hércules CF
Hércules Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Alicante, in the autonomous community of Valencia. Founded in 1922, it currently plays in the Spanish second division, and holds home games at the Estadio José Rico Pérez, which seats 30,000 spectators.-History:After first...
, his first goal in over four years.
On 11 May 2011, in the last minute of the first half of a home fixture against Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
(eventual 3–2 home win), Nélson collided with opponent Lautaro Acosta
Lautaro Acosta
Lautaro Germán Acosta is an Argentine footballer who plays for Racing de Santander on loan from Sevilla FC in La Liga, as a forward.-Lanús:...
, fracturing his left ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
in the outcome.
International career
Nélson was granted Portuguese citizenship in December 2005, and played in the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Klaas Jan Huntelaar3 goals Thomas Kahlenberg Nicky Hofs2 goals Bryan Bergougnoux Ruslan Fomin Artem Milevskiy...
. He received his first call-up to the senior side
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan national football team
The Kazakhstan national football team represents Kazakhstan in international men's association football and is directed by Football Federation of Kazakhstan. They split from the Soviet Union national football team after independence in 1991 and joined the Asian Football Confederation's Central and...
, on November 15, 2006, but did not leave the bench.
On 31 March 2009, Nélson finally made his full debut, appearing in a 2–0 friendly win with South Africa
South Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
, in Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.