Neca (footballer)
Encyclopedia
João Alexandre Duarte Ferreira Fernandes, aka Neca (born 31 December 1979 in Lisbon
), is a Portuguese
footballer who plays for Vitória de Setúbal
as a midfielder
.
outfit was relegated.
In the summer of 2006, Neca signed for C.S. Marítimo on a Bosman transfer
. However, after limited play, he was loaned out to Turkish
club Konyaspor
in January 2007. He was definitely released by the Madeira
club in December, but stayed in Turkey, switching to Ankaraspor.
In late December 2009, Neca agreed on a return to his country, signing with struggling Vitória de Setúbal
until the end of the season, contributing with 11 games and two goals as the Sadinos
eventually escaped relegation.
at both the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship
and the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
.
In 2002, courtesy of his consistent performances at Belenenses, he earned two full caps
.
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
), 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 who plays for Vitória de Setúbal
Vitória F.C.
Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72...
as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Club career
Neca started playing professionally for local club C.F. Os Belenenses, being a starter from an early age. In 2005–06, he moved to fellow top division side Vitória Sport Clube and, although he was an important first team member, the GuimarãesGuimarães
Guimarães Municipality is located in northwestern Portugal in the province of Minho and in the Braga District. It contains the city of Guimarães.The present Mayor is António Magalhães Silva, elected by the Socialist Party.-Parishes:-Economy:...
outfit was relegated.
In the summer of 2006, Neca signed for C.S. Marítimo on a Bosman transfer
Bosman ruling
Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Football Association ASBL v Jean-Marc Bosman is a 1995 European Court of Justice decision concerning freedom of movement for workers, freedom of association, and direct effect of article 39 of the EC Treaty...
. However, after limited play, he was loaned out to Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
club Konyaspor
Konyaspor
Konyaspor is a professional Turkish football club based in Konya. Konyaspor currently play in the Süper Lig. The club was founded in 1922 but then reformed in 1981. The club colours are green and white and they play their home games at Konya Atatürk Stadium....
in January 2007. He was definitely released by the Madeira
Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
club in December, but stayed in Turkey, switching to Ankaraspor.
In late December 2009, Neca agreed on a return to his country, signing with struggling Vitória de Setúbal
Vitória F.C.
Vitória Futebol Clube is a Portuguese sports club from the city of Setúbal. Popularly known as Vitória de Setúbal with the motto "A Vitória será nossa" .- Domestic :*Portuguese Liga: Runners-up 1971–72...
until the end of the season, contributing with 11 games and two goals as the Sadinos
Sado River
The Sado River is a river in Southern Portugal, and is one of the major rivers in the country. It flows in a South/North direction through 175 km from its springs in the Caldeirão hills before entering the Atlantic Ocean in an estuary in the city of Setúbal.In Setúbal, its estuary is famous...
eventually escaped relegation.
International career
Neca represented PortugalPortugal 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...
at both the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship
1999 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Nigeria between April 3 and April 24, 1999. The 1999 championship was the 12th contested.- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.-Squads:...
and the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2002 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2002 was the 13th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Switzerland between 16 and 28 May 2002.Czech Republic U-21s won the competition for the first time.-Qualification:...
.
In 2002, courtesy of his consistent performances at Belenenses, he earned two full caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
.