Neno (footballer, born 1962) explained

Neno
Fullname:Adelino Augusto da Graça Barbosa Barros
Birth Date:27 January 1962
Birth Place:Cidade Velha, Cape Verde
Death Place:Guimarães, Portugal
Height:1.82 m
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthyears1:1975–1978
Youthclubs1:Santoantoniense
Youthyears2:1978–1981
Youthclubs2:Barreirense
Years1:1981–1984
Caps1:81
Goals1:0
Years2:1984–1985
Caps2:21
Goals2:0
Years3:1985–1987
Caps3:2
Goals3:0
Years4:1987–1988
Caps4:6
Goals4:0
Years5:1988–1990
Caps5:58
Goals5:0
Years6:1990–1995
Caps6:98
Goals6:0
Years7:1995–1999
Caps7:57
Goals7:0
Totalcaps:323
Totalgoals:0
Nationalyears1:1989–1996
Nationalcaps1:9
Nationalgoals1:0

Adelino Augusto da Graça Barbosa Barros (27 January 1962 – 10 June 2021), known as Neno, was a Portuguese professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

He appeared in 242 Primeira Liga games over 15 seasons, representing mainly Vitória de Guimarães and Benfica.

Club career

Born in Cidade Velha, Portuguese Cape Verde to a teacher and a housewife as one of seven siblings, Neno started his career with F.C. Barreirense, moving to Vitória S.C. in 1984. After one season, already in the Primeira Liga, he signed with S.L. Benfica, originally backing up legendary Manuel Bento.[1]

After a single campaign at Vitória F.C. and a second spell at Guimarães, Neno rejoined Benfica, going on to experience an interesting battle for first-choice status with Silvino, who also played with both Vitória sides (but not in the same periods); he was the starter in most of 1990–91 and the entire 1993–94, which finished in league conquest.[1]

Following Michel Preud'homme's move to the Estádio da Luz after the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Neno backed him up for one season, but left in 1996 to finish his career with his second club, retiring at 37. Subsequently, he continued to work there in a directorial capacity, while also acting as Vitória SC's goalkeeper coach.[1]

International career

Neno won nine caps for the Portugal national team, his debut coming on 8 June 1989 in a 4–0 friendly defeat against Brazil. His last game was a 3–2 loss to France on 24 January 1996 in another exhibition game, and he would miss selection for UEFA Euro 1996 due to having lost the number one position at his club to younger Nuno Espírito Santo.[2] [1]

Death

On 10 June 2021, Neno died after suffering a heart attack at the parish where he lived, in the village of Polvoreira in Guimarães, at the age of 59.[3]

Honours

Benfica

1986–87, 1990–91, 1993–94

1985–86, 1986–87, 1992–93

Vitória de Guimarães

1988

Notes and References

  1. News: Neno (1962–2021): “Estava cheio de mulheres, porra, tinha de sair dali. É quando aparece o Julio Iglesias: ‘El portero?’ Pá, portero sou eu”. Neno (1962–2021): "The place was crowded with women, bloody hell, I had to get out of there. That's when Julio Iglesias shows up: ‘El portero?’ Man, I'm the portero". Expresso. Alexandra. Simões de Abreu. pt. 11 June 2021. 11 June 2021.
  2. Web site: Neno. F.C. Barreirense. pt. 23 June 1999. 11 June 2021.
  3. Web site: Morreu o antigo guarda-redes do Vitória Neno. Former Vitória goalkeeper Neno has died. Guimarães Digital. pt. 10 June 2021. 10 June 2021.