André Neles

André Moreira Neles (4 January 1978 – 6 February 2020), known as André Neles, was a professional footballer who played as a striker. His last club was Alecrim FC.

André Neles
Personal information
Full name André Moreira Neles
Date of birth (1978-01-04)4 January 1978
Place of birth Patrocínio (MG), Brazil
Date of death 6 February 2020(2020-02-06) (aged 42)
Place of death Uberlândia (MG), Brazil
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1996–1997 Uberlândia
1998 Anápolis
1998–1999 Villa Nova
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2000 Atlético Mineiro 12 (3)
2000–2004 Benfica 9 (1)
2001 → Marítimo (loan) 12 (2)
2002 → Vitória (loan) 20 (10)
2003 → Internacional (loan) 5 (3)
2003 → Palmeiras (loan) 5 (1)
2004 Marítimo 5 (0)
2004 Atlético Mineiro 1 (0)
2004 Figueirense 5 (1)
2005–2007 Fortaleza 1 (0)
2006–2007 → Al-Ettifaq (loan) 11 (8)
2007 → Ipatinga (loan) 3 (0)
2008–2009 Grêmio Barueri 1 (0)
2009 → Botafogo-SP (loan) 10 (4)
2009 → Ceará (loan) 2 (0)
2010 Botafogo-SP 22 (5)
2010 → Oeste (loan) 3 (1)
2010 → Icasa (loan) 11 (4)
2011 América-RN 9 (2)
2012 Marcílio Dias 5 (0)
2012 Uberlândia 8 (1)
2012 Icasa 5 (0)
2013 São Carlos 11 (1)
2014 Operário
2015 Rio Branco-SP
National team‡
2007–2011 Equatorial Guinea 6 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 October 2015
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 24 October 2015

He started at Uberlândia, but only gained recognition at Atlético Mineiro. After compelling performances, he signed with Benfica in 2000, but could never break into the starting eleven, spending the following four years on multiple loan deals, which included Vitória, Internacional and Palmeiras. In 2004, he signed with Marítimo but only stayed there for a few months, moving from club to club on almost a yearly basis, mainly in the Brazilian lower divisions. Born and raised in Brazil, he was granted Equatorial Guinea nationality in 2007 and won 3 international caps for his national team between 2007 and 2011.

Club career

Early career and Benfica

Born in Patrocínio in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Neles started at Uberlândia in 1996 and spent there two seasons.[1] In 1998, he moved to Anápolis for a brief stint, before joining Villa Nova, where he attracted the attention of Atlético Mineiro, who signed him in early 1999.[1] He made his debut on 18 July 1999 against a team from Itaúna and after displaying good performances in the Campeonato Mineiro, he gained recognition amongst the fans.[1][2] On 11 May 2000, in the Round of 16 of the 2000 Copa Libertadores, Neles created a crucial goal for Marques, that allow Atlético Mineiro to take the game to penalty kicks.[1] In December 2000, he signed with Benfica for a transfer fee reported by Record to be €2.5M for just half of his economic rights.[2] He made his debut in a friendly match against CSKA Sofia on 10 January 2001, scoring the opening goal in a 1–1 draw.[3] However, in competitive matches, Neles was only a reserve player and he struggled with the lack of playing time.[4] With stiff competition from Pierre van Hooijdonk and João Tomás, he netted just once in nine appearances.[5]

In July 2001, Neles was sent on his first loan at Benfica, joining Marítimo for one year.[6] He commented his dismissal by Toni saying: "I think I did not had a real opportunity at Benfica. Not even a league match in the starting line-up; only as an option from the bench. From the start of a game, only in friendlies. Of course it is difficult to perform like this."[6] He also confess that he chose Marítimo because they had qualified for the UEFA Cup, refusing offers from Atlético Paranaense, Internacional and Portuguesa de Desportos.[6] His spell there was only mildly successful, with two goals in 12 matches; a winner against Boavista on 10 December and an equalizer against Varzim on 23 December.[7][8] In January 2002, André returned to Benfica and went on a second loan deal, now in Brazil, at Vitória.[9]

There he won the Campeonato Baiano and scored 31 goals in all competitions, 10 of them in the Série A, which included a decisive goal against Palmeiras on 17 November, that guaranteed their relegation.[10][11][12] In early 2003, he was sent on a third loan deal, joining Internacional until December.[12] From his previous loan he acknowledged that returning to Brazil was good for him; he matured significantly and was hopeful of returning to Benfica.[12] He started well at Internacional, with three goals in five appearances in the Brasileirão, but shortly after, a knee injury broke his momentum.[12] Only a few months after joining Internacional, he moved to Palmeiras, at the time playing in the second tier.[13] His spell there was unsuccessful, as he scored only one time, on 9 August against Portuguesa, and spent most of the time as back-up due to 19-year-old, Vágner Love.[10][14]

Post-Benfica

In January 2004, Neles ended his connection with Benfica and signed with Marítimo for one and half seasons.[15] However, problems outside football led to his quick departure.[16] In June, he was back to Brazil, playing for Atlético Mineiro in the Série A.[17] In mid-2004, he changed teams for a third time in the year, signing with Figueirense, scoring one goal in five matches.[18] In 2005, he joined Fortaleza and played only once for them, spending a year in the Saudi Premier League with Ettifaq FC, and having a two-month stint with Ipatinga.[19] In 2008, Neles moved to Grêmio Barueri, where he played just one league game for them, before going on subsequent loans to Botafogo-SP and Ceará.[19] He would return to Botafogo-SP in 2010, playing in the Campeonato Paulista do Interior and being the team top scorer with five goals and winning the league.[20] In the same season, he would play for Oeste in the Série D and for Icasa in the Série B.[21][22] In February 2011, the 33-year-old signed with América-RN and had good performances in the state league, remaining with América for the entire season.[23][24]

In December 2011, he signed with Marcílio Dias in the Campeonato Catarinense,[25] but only two months later, he returned to his childhood club, Uberlândia.[26] In August, he had a second spell at Icasa, now competing in the Série C.[27] Neles signed with São Carlos Futebol Clube in January 2013, playing for them in the second tier of the Campeonato Paulista.[28] In 2014, he played at Operário, helping them to a runner-up finish in the Campeonato Mato-Grossense and in May 2015, joined Rio Branco in the Campeonato Paulista Série A2.[29]

International career

In 2007, Neles was offered two-hundred thousand dollars, plus an additional ten thousand per game, to change passport and represent Equatorial Guinea.[30] Although he had a great-grandmother of African descent, he accepted to play for Equatorial Guinea because of the money offered by the Equatoguinean Football Federation.[31] He made his debut in 2007 and according to him, played in 10 games and scored four goals.[30] Two of those games were for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.[30] In February 2011, he returned to the national team after two and half years of international absence, for a friendly match against Chad.[4]

International goals
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 25 March 2007 Estadio Internacional, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea  Rwanda
1 – 0
3 - 1
 Africa Cup of Nations 2008 Qualifying

Honours
Atlético Mineiro
Vitória
Fortaleza
Grémio Barueri
Botafogo-SP

Personal life

Neles' younger brother, Átila Neles, is also a footballer – and a forward. He too spent most of his professional career in Brazil, where he played for Uberlândia.[32]

He confessed to drug use during his time at Palmeiras.[30] His flamboyant lifestyle earn him the nickname, "André Balada".[30] Since then, he entered the Presbyterian faith to overcome his problems. In his incursion in the religion, André Neles recorded a disc of gospel music, sung by himself.[30][33] Neles died of a heart attack on 6 February 2020, aged 42, at his home in Uberlândia.[34]

References
  1. "André Neles". UOL Esporte (in Portuguese). 2000. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  2. "André assinou até 2005/06" [André signs until 2005/06]. Record (in Portuguese). 13 December 2000. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  3. "Benfica-CSKA Sofia, 1-1 (André 34; Antonov 84)". Record (in Portuguese). 10 January 2001. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  4. João Almeida Moreira (5 February 2011). "André. "Acontecem coisas sobrenaturais comigo, você acredita?"" [André. "Strange things happen to me, do you believe?"]. I Online (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 6 February 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  5. "D. Aves-Benfica, 4–4: Nem oito golos abriram sorrisos" [D.Aves-Benfica, 4–4: Not even eight goals brought smiles]. Record (in Portuguese). 27 May 2001. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  6. "André ressentido com técnico Toni" [André resented with Toni]. Record (in Portuguese). 12 July 2001. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  7. "Boavista-Marítimo, 0-1: Perder a cabeça sem ganhar tino" [Boavista 0–1 Marítimo: Lose its head without gaining sense]. Record (in Portuguese). 10 December 2001. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  8. "Marítimo-Varzim, 1-1: Ressaca da Taça tem destas coisas" [Marítimo-Varzim, 1–1: Post-cup hangover]. Record (in Portuguese). 23 December 2001.
  9. "Sabry, André e Diogo Luís deixam a Luz" [Sabry, André and Diogo Luis leave Da Luz]. Record (in Portuguese). 16 January 2002. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  10. Luciano Borges (31 December 2009). "André Neles lança CD, conta como se livrou das drogas e deixou as baladas para trás" [André Neles launches CD, tells how he got rid of drugs and left the ballads behind]. Terra.com (in Portuguese). Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  11. "Vitória 4 × 3 Palmeiras". Globo.com (in Portuguese). 17 November 2002. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  12. "André sonha com o Benfica" [André dreams with Benfica]. Record (in Portuguese). 26 April 2003. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  13. "André vai jogar no Palmeiras" [André will play for Palmeiras]. Record (in Portuguese). 11 July 2003. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  14. "Brazil Second Level 2003". RSSSF. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  15. "André regressa por ano e meio" [André returns for one and half years]. Record (in Portuguese). 24 January 2004. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  16. "Ex-benfiquista André encontra salvação na religião e na música" [Former Benfica player, André finds salvation in religion and music]. Record (in Portuguese). 12 June 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  17. "Internacional 4 × 3 Atlético Mineiro". O Globo (in Portuguese). 12 June 2004. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  18. "Figueirense 3 × 2 Goías". O Globo (in Portuguese). 1 September 2004. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  19. "Estrangeiros Brasileiros – André Neles" [Brazilian who are foreigners: André Neles]. planotatico.com (in Portuguese). 17 October 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  20. "No G-4, São Paulo aplica chocolate de Páscoa e afasta Botafogo de luta por vaga" [In G-4, São Paulo kicks Botafogo out of the race]. Globoesporte (in Portuguese). 4 April 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  21. "Botafogo empresta André Neles ao Oeste e dispensa goleiro Jamilton" [Botafogo loans André Neles to Oeste and releases goalkeeper Jamilton]. Ribeirão Preto online (in Portuguese). 30 August 2010. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  22. "Icasa acerta contratação do atacante André Neles" [Icasa signs with attacker André Neles]. Terra.com (in Portuguese). 28 September 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  23. "América dispensa dois e acerta com André Neles" [América releases two and signs with André Neles]. Tribunal do Norte (in Portuguese). 18 February 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  24. "André Neles acerta com América para disputa da Série C" [André Neles remains at América for the Série C]. Tribunal do Norte (in Portuguese). 5 May 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  25. "M. Dias acerta com ex-Figueira, agora convertido" [M. Dias agrees with former Figueirense player, now converted]. Infoesporte (in Portuguese). 12 December 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  26. "André Neles é o novo reforço do Uberlândia Esporte" [André Neles is the new reinforcement of Uberlândia]. Correio de Uberlândia (in Portuguese). 16 February 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  27. "Icasa acerta retorno de atacante André Neles para restante da Série C" [Icasa resign with André Neles for the remainder of the Série C]. Globoesporte (in Portuguese). 20 August 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  28. "André Neles fecha com clube da Série A2 do Paulistão" [André Neles signs with team from Paulistão A2]. Futebol Interior (in Portuguese). 18 January 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  29. "André Neles acerta com Rio Branco para a Copa Paulista" [André Neles signs with Rio Branco for the Paulista Cup]. Futebol Interior (in Portuguese). 14 May 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  30. "No Icasa, André Neles relembra tempos de Guiné-Equatorial" [At Icasa, André Neles remembers his time in Equatorial Guinea]. GloboEsporte (in Portuguese). 23 October 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  31. "André Neles na Seleção da Guiné Equatorial". O Curioso do Futebol (in Portuguese). 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  32. "Botafogo testa irmão mais novo do atacante André Neles" [Botafogo tests André Neles' younger brother]. Ribeirão Preto Online (in Portuguese). 18 December 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  33. "Entrevista Andre Neles" [Interview to André Neles] (in Portuguese). Retrieved 22 April 2013 – via YouTube.
  34. "Morre em Uberlândia André Neles, ex-atacante de Palmeiras, Atlético-MG e Internacional" [André Neles, former Palmeiras, Atlético-MG and Internacional forward, dies in Uberlândia] (in Portuguese). Globoesporte.com.br. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
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