Neca (footballer) explained

Neca
Fullname:João Alexandre Duarte Ferreira Fernandes[1]
Birth Date:31 December 1979
Birth Place:Lisbon, Portugal
Height:1.76 m
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:1989–1990
Youthyears2:1990–1997
Youthclubs1:Olivais Moscavide
Youthclubs2:Belenenses
Years1:1997–2005
Years2:2005–2006
Years3:2006–2007
Years4:2007
Years5:2008–2009
Years6:2010–2012
Years7:2012–2013
Years8:2013–2015
Years9:2015–2016
Years10:2016–2018
Clubs4:Konyaspor (loan)
Clubs6:Vitória Setúbal
Clubs7:Konyaspor
Clubs8:Farense
Clubs9:Pinhalnovense
Clubs10:Farense
Caps1:143
Caps2:29
Caps3:10
Caps4:31
Caps5:41
Caps6:59
Caps7:25
Caps8:62
Caps9:24
Caps10:48
Totalcaps:472
Goals1:17
Goals2:1
Goals3:0
Goals4:8
Goals5:6
Goals6:10
Goals7:9
Goals8:9
Goals9:4
Goals10:8
Totalgoals:72
Nationalyears1:1999
Nationalyears2:2001–2002
Nationalyears3:2002
Nationalteam3:Portugal
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalcaps2:4
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalgoals3:0

João Alexandre Duarte Ferreira Fernandes (born 31 December 1979), known as Neca, is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a midfielder.

He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 225 matches and 29 goals over the course of 12 seasons, representing in the competition Belenenses, Vitória de Guimarães, Marítimo and Vitória de Setúbal. He also played professionally in Turkey.

Club career

Born in Lisbon, Neca started playing professionally with local C.F. Os Belenenses, being a starter from an early age.[2] [3] For 2005–06 he moved to fellow Primeira Liga club Vitória S.C. on a two-year contract as a free agent[4] and, although he was an important first-team member in his only season, the Guimarães-based side were relegated and he left.[5]

Neca signed for C.S. Marítimo in summer 2006, on a Bosman transfer.[6] After limited playing time, he was loaned out to Konyaspor in January 2007.[7] He was definitely released by the Madeirans in December but stayed in Turkey, joining Ankaraspor.[8]

On 4 January 2010, Neca agreed on a return to his country, signing with struggling Vitória F.C. until the end of the campaign[9] and contributing 11 games and two goals as the Sadinos eventually escaped relegation. He returned to Konyaspor aged 32, with the club now in the second division.[10]

International career

Neca represented Portugal at both the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship[11] and the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[12] In 2002, courtesy of his consistent performances at Belenenses, he earned two full caps.[13] [14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Neca. Mais Futebol. pt. 7 June 2023.
  2. News: Neca: «Pode ser a oportunidade para me afirmar no Belenenses». Neca: "This may be the chance to make a name for myself at Belenenses". Record. Nuno Miguel. Ferreira. pt. 4 February 2000. 7 June 2023.
  3. News: Neca magoado com o Belenenses. Neca hurt with Belenenses. Record. pt. 5 May 2001. 7 June 2023.
  4. News: Belenense Neca contratado. Belenenses man Neca signed. Record. pt. 3 May 2005. 7 June 2023.
  5. Web site: Vitória de Guimarães: Neca rescinde contrato. Vitória de Guimarães: Neca terminates contract. Mais Futebol. pt. 18 May 2006. 7 June 2023.
  6. News: Neca: «É um jogo especial que queremos ganhar». Neca: "It's a special match we want to win". Record. pt. 13 December 2006. 7 June 2023.
  7. News: Neca emprestado ao Konyaspor. Neca loaned to Konyaspor. Record. pt. 16 January 2007. 7 June 2023.
  8. Web site: Neca assina pelo Ankaraspor. Neca signs for Ankaraspor. Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. pt. 7 February 2008. 7 June 2023.
  9. Web site: Neca de regresso ao Setúbal. Neca returns to Setúbal. TSF. pt. 4 January 2010. 7 June 2023.
  10. News: Farense prepara II Liga com aposta em jogadores algarvios. Farense prepare II League betting on Algarvean players. Jornal do Algarve. Domingos. Viegas. pt. 26 June 2013. 7 June 2023.
  11. News: Portugal no Mundial Sub-20: quem, quando e onde? Um guia para a competição. Portugal at the Under-20 World Cup: who, when and where? A guide for the competition. Observador. Bruno. Roseiro. pt. 20 May 2017. 7 June 2023.
  12. Web site: Portugal demolish England. BBC Sport. 22 May 2002. 7 June 2023.
  13. Web site: Lista completa dos internacionais portugueses. Complete list of Portuguese internationals. Mais Futebol. pt. 18 February 2004. 7 June 2023.
  14. News: Sílvio é o 14.º a estrear-se com Agostinho Oliveira. Sílvio is debutant number 14 with Agostinho Oliveira. Record. pt. 7 September 2010. 10 June 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150610050325/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/selecoes/interior.aspx?content_id=461735. 10 June 2015.