{{Short description|Portuguese footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Portuguese name|Tomar|Marcos}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Nélson |image = Nélson Augusto Tomar Marcos 2011.jpg |image_size = 200 |caption = Nélson training with Betis in 2011 |fullname = Nélson Augusto Tomar Marcos<ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/nelson/benfica/1575-0-13451|title=Nélson|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|6|10|df=y}}<ref name=Bio/> |birth_place = Sal, Cape Verde<ref name=Bio/> |height = {{height|m=1.72}}<ref name=Bio/> |position = Right-back |currentclub = |clubnumber = |youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Batuque |youthyears2 = 2000–2002 | youthclubs2 = Vilanovense |years1 = 2001–2003 | clubs1 = Vilanovense | caps1 = 32 | goals1 = 0 |years2 = 2003–2004 | clubs2 = Salgueiros | caps2 = 27 | goals2 = 2 |years3 = 2004–2005 | clubs3 = Boavista | caps3 = 23 | goals3 = 1 |years4 = 2005–2008 | clubs4 = Benfica | caps4 = 72 | goals4 = 0 |years5 = 2008–2013 | clubs5 = Betis | caps5 = 81 | goals5 = 1 |years6 = 2010–2011 | clubs6 = → Osasuna (loan) | caps6 = 29 | goals6 = 1 |years7 = 2013–2014 | clubs7 = Palermo | caps7 = 8 | goals7 = 1 |years8 = 2013–2014 | clubs8 = → Almería (loan) | caps8 = 14 | goals8 = 0 |years9 = 2014–2015 | clubs9 = Belenenses | caps9 = 27 | goals9 = 0 |years10 = 2015–2017 | clubs10 = Alcorcón | caps10 = 55 | goals10 = 0 |years11 = 2017–2018 | clubs11 = AEK Larnaca | caps11 = 27 | goals11 = 0 |totalcaps = 395 | totalgoals = 6 |nationalyears1 = 2006 | nationalteam1 = Portugal U21 | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0 |nationalyears2 = 2009–2012 | nationalteam2 = Portugal | nationalcaps2 = 4 | nationalgoals2 = 0 |club-update = |nationalteam-update = }} '''Nélson Augusto Tomar Marcos''' (born 10 June 1983), known simply as '''Nélson''', is a former 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 competed professionally in Italy and Cyprus.
Born in Cape Verde, Nélson won four caps for the Portugal national team in three years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/osky-22/nelson-ramos/nelson-dedica-se-a-customizacao-o-meu-escape-depois-do-futebol|title=Nélson dedica-se à customização: "O meu escape depois do futebol"|trans-title=Nélson takes up customization: "My escape after football"|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Vítor Hugo|last=Alvarenga|language=pt|date=15 February 2023|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
==Club career== ===Early years=== Born in Sal, Cape Verde, Nélson started his professional career with Vilanovense FC. He began making a name in the Primeira Liga with Boavista FC, having joined from soon-to-be-extinct S.C. Salgueiros also in Porto.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/boavista-contrata-nelson-ex-salgueiros|title=Boavista contrata Nelson (ex-Salgueiros)|trans-title=Boavista sign Nélson (ex-Salgueiros)|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Sérgio|last=Pereira|language=pt|date=5 April 2004|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
In May 2005, Nélson was involved in a car crash along with former Boavista player José Bosingwa, who represented FC 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/interior.aspx?content_id=238647|title=Bosingwa e mais quatro futebolistas envolvem-se em aparatoso acidente|trans-title=Bosingwa and four other footballers involved in spectacular accident|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=16 May 2005|access-date=23 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924150103/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/interior.aspx?content_id=238647|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>
===Benfica=== Nélson signed a five-year contract with S.L. Benfica in summer 2005, for €1.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=327738.html|title=Miguel makes switch to Mestalla|publisher=UEFA|date=19 August 2005|access-date=4 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329010538/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=327738.html|archive-date=29 March 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01bc-0ea88f3f7953-ed841cf83e43-1000--united-heading-into-last-16/|title=United heading into last 16|publisher=UEFA|first=Simon|last=Hart|date=6 December 2006|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
===Betis=== [[File:Nelson Betis.JPG|thumb|Nélson with Betis in 2009.]] In late August 2008, Nélson joined Real Betis in Spain for €6 million, on a five-year deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realbetisbalompie.es/|title=Nélson ya es jugador del Betis|trans-title=Nélson is already a Betis player|publisher=Real Betis|language=es|date=26 August 2008|access-date=26 August 2008}}</ref> He quickly became a starter, as the Andalusia club was eventually relegated.
On 30 August 2010, Nélson was loaned to CA Osasuna, with the Navarrese having an option to make the move permanent at the season's end.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2010/08/30/mas_futbol/1283119212_850215.html|title=Betis y Osasuna acuerdan la cesión al club navarro de Nelson|trans-title=Betis and Osasuna agree Nélson loan to Navarrese club|publisher=Diario AS|language=es|date=30 August 2010|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref> Battling with Damià for first-choice status throughout the vast majority of the campaign,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elsadar.com/2012/03/damia-se-afianza-en-el-lateral-izquierdo/|title=Damià se afianza en el lateral izquierdo|trans-title=Damià getting stronger at left-back|publisher=El Sadar|first=José Carlos|last=Valenciano Andía|language=es|date=18 March 2012|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref> he netted on 20 December in a 4–0 away victory over Hércules CF,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/301898?cc=5739|title=Giant performance shocks Hercules|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=20 March 2011|access-date=30 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024135153/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/301898?cc=5739|archive-date=24 October 2012}}</ref> 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 FC (3–2 home win), Nélson collided with opponent Lautaro Acosta, fracturing his left ankle in the outcome.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110516081227/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=302090&cc=5739 Osasuna hit back for stunning win]; ESPN Soccernet, 11 May 2011</ref> His injury was not as serious as initially expected though.<ref>[http://www.marca.com/2011/05/11/futbol/equipos/osasuna/1305149427.html El susto de Nelson se queda en luxación del astrágalo (Nelson scare just a talus bone dislocation)]; Marca, 12 May 2011 (in Spanish)</ref>
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.<ref>[http://www.diariodenavarra.es/noticias/deportes/futbol/osasuna/nelson_mete_lio_56963_1027.html Nelson se mete en un lío (Nelson in hot waters)]; Diario de Navarra, 7 December 2011 (in Spanish)</ref><ref>[http://www.noticiasdenavarra.com/2011/12/07/osasuna/alfredo-niega-que-nelson-les-filtrara-informacion-del-betis-antes-del-partido Alfredo niega que Nelson les filtrara información del Betis antes del partido (Alfredo denies Nelson filtered information on Betis before match)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207182344/http://www.noticiasdenavarra.com/2011/12/07/osasuna/alfredo-niega-que-nelson-les-filtrara-informacion-del-betis-antes-del-partido|date=7 December 2011}}; Noticias de Navarra, 7 December 2011 (in Spanish)</ref>
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.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120716103414/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/323823?cc=5739 Nelson sinks Bilbao]; ESPN Soccernet, 11 February 2012</ref>
===Palermo=== On 28 January 2013, days after being released by Betis, Nélson moved to Italy's US Città di Palermo, agreeing to a contract until June 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://palermocalcio.it/it/1213/news/scheda.php?id=27971|title=Preso anche Nelson, domani la presentazione Boselli|trans-title=Nelson in too, press conference with Boselli scheduled tomorrow|publisher=U.S. Palermo|language=it|date=28 January 2013|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> and rejoining his former Benfica teammate Fabrizio Miccoli. He scored in his Serie A debut the following week, but his late backheel goal could not help prevent a 1–2 home loss to Atalanta BC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/351858/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Palermo 1–2 Atalanta|publisher=ESPN FC|date=3 February 2013|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref>
Nélson returned to Spain and its top flight on 2 August 2013, signing with UD Almería in a season-long loan deal.<ref>[http://www.udalmeriasad.com/uda/index.php/inicio/noticias/5561-nelson-se-convierte-en-el-septimo-fichaje-del-almeria-para-la-proxima-temporada Nelson se convierte en el séptimo fichaje del Almería para la próxima temporada (Nélson becomes Almería's seventh signing for the following season)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805233503/http://www.udalmeriasad.com/uda/index.php/inicio/noticias/5561-nelson-se-convierte-en-el-septimo-fichaje-del-almeria-para-la-proxima-temporada|date=5 August 2013}}; UD Almería, 2 August 2013 (in Spanish)</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://palermocalcio.it/it/1415/news/scheda.php?id=30339|title=Viviano passa alla Sampdoria, rescisso il contratto di Nelson|trans-title=Viviano joins Sampdoria, Nelson contract terminated|publisher=U.S. Palermo|language=it|date=12 August 2014|access-date=14 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813234058/http://palermocalcio.it/it/1415/news/scheda.php?id=30339|archive-date=13 August 2014}}</ref>
===Later career=== In September 2014, the free agent Nélson joined C.F. Os Belenenses.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-3/b-sad/detalhe/nelson-ainda-tenho-grandes-planos-na-minha-carreira-902394|title=Nélson: "Ainda tenho grandes planos na minha carreira"|trans-title=Nélson: "I still have big plans for my career"|publisher=Record|language=pt|date=1 September 2014|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-3/b-sad/detalhe/nelson-ainda-procuro-a-melhor-forma-fisica-904662|title=Nélson: "Ainda procuro a melhor forma física"|trans-title=Nélson: "I am still looking for my best physical condition"|publisher=Record|language=pt|date=15 September 2014|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
Nélson returned to Spain on 29 July 2015, signing a one-year deal with AD Alcorcón.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://adalcorcon.com/nelson-augusto-tomar-ramos-nuevo-jugador-de-la-ad-alcorcon/|title=Nélson Augusto Tomar {{sic|nolink=y|Ramos}}, nuevo jugador de la AD Alcorcón|trans-title=Nélson Augusto Tomar Marcos, new player of AD Alcorcón|publisher=AD Alcorcón|language=es|date=29 July 2015|access-date=30 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811033431/http://adalcorcon.com/nelson-augusto-tomar-ramos-nuevo-jugador-de-la-ad-alcorcon/|archive-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> He retired aged 35, his last club having been Cypriot First Division's AEK Larnaca FC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/internacional/artigos/ex-benfica-nelson-vai-jogar-no-chipre|title=Ex-Benfica Nélson vai jogar no Chipre|trans-title=Ex-Benfica Nélson will play in Cyprus|publisher=SAPO|language=pt|date=7 August 2017|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
==International career== Nélson was granted Portuguese citizenship in December 2005, and played in the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.<ref>[https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0257-0de695c5f7f7-4b9adfa65540-1000--nelson-pride-at-portugal-call/ Nélson pride at Portugal call]; UEFA, 23 February 2006</ref> 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.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120918225649/http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=815213.html Portugal rediscover winning feeling]; UEFA, 31 March 2009</ref>
==Career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|Vilanovense |2000–01<ref name="FJ">{{ForaDeJogo|name=Nélson}}</ref> |Segunda Divisão |5||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||5||0 |- |2001–02<ref name="FJ"/> |Segunda Divisão |27||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||28||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !32!!0!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!33!!0 |- |rowspan="1"|Salgueiros |2003–04<ref name="FJ"/> |Segunda Liga |27||2||3||0||colspan="2"|—||30||2 |- |rowspan="1"|Boavista |2004–05<ref name="FJ"/> |Primeira Liga |23||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||25||1 |- |rowspan="4"|Benfica |2005–06<ref name="FJ"/> |Primeira Liga |25||0||2||0||7{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=UCL}}||0||34||0 |- |2006–07<ref name="FJ"/> |Primeira Liga |28||0||3||0||6{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=UCL}}||1||37||1 |- |2007–08<ref name="FJ"/> |Primeira Liga |19||0||5||0||6{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup|name=UECL}}||0||30||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !72!!0!!10!!0!!19!!1!!101!!1 |- |rowspan="5"|Betis |2008–09<ref name="BD">{{BDFutbol|name=Nélson}}</ref> |La Liga |35||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||36||0 |- |2009–10<ref name="BD"/> |Segunda División |22||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||23||0 |- |2011–12<ref name="BD"/> |La Liga |14||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||15||1 |- |2012–13<ref name="BD"/> |La Liga |10||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||10||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !81!!1!!3!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!84!!1 |- |Osasuna (loan) |2010–11<ref name="BD"/> |La Liga |29||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||31||2 |- |Palermo |2012–13<ref name="SW">{{Soccerway|nelson-marcos/4611}}</ref> |Serie A |8||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||8||1 |- |Almería (loan) |2013–14<ref name="BD"/> |La Liga |14||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||15||0 |- |Belenenses |2014–15<ref name="FJ"/> |Primeira Liga |27||0||6||0||colspan="2"|—||33||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Alcorcón |2015–16<ref name="BD"/> |Segunda División |36||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||36||0 |- |2016–17<ref name="BD"/> |Segunda División |19||0||7||0||colspan="2"|—||26||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !55!!0!!7!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!62!!0 |- |AEK Larnaca |2017–18<ref name="SW"/> |Cypriot First Division |27|||0||5||0||0||0||32||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !395!!6!!40!!0!!19!!1!!454!!7 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''AEK Larnaca''' *Cypriot Cup: 2017–18<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/internacional/detalhe/chipre-aek-larnaca-conquista-a-taca|title=Chipre: AEK Larnaca conquista a Taça|trans-title=Cyprus: AEK Larnaca claim Cup|publisher=Record|language=pt|date=16 May 2018|access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{ForaDeJogo|name=Nélson}} *{{BDFutbol|name=Nélson}} *{{NFT player|name=Nélson}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nelson Marcos}} Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:People from Sal, Cape Verde Category:Portuguese people of Cape Verdean descent Category:Sportspeople of Cape Verdean descent Category:21st-century Portuguese sportsmen Category:Cape Verdean men's footballers Category:Portuguese men's footballers Category:Men's association football full-backs Category:Primeira Liga players Category:Liga Portugal 2 players Category:Segunda Divisão players Category:Vilanovense F.C. players Category:S.C. Salgueiros players Category:Boavista F.C. players Category:S.L. Benfica footballers Category:C.F. Os Belenenses players Category:La Liga players Category:Segunda División players Category:Real Betis players Category:CA Osasuna players Category:UD Almería players Category:AD Alcorcón footballers Category:Serie A players Category:Palermo FC players Category:Cypriot First Division players Category:AEK Larnaca FC players Category:Portugal men's under-21 international footballers Category:Portugal men's international footballers Category:Portuguese expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Cyprus Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Spain Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Italy Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus