Nélson Semedo: from Benfica to Barcelona at high speed

Nélson Semedo celebrated the forth consecutive league title with Benfica and, after playing in the Confederations Cup with the National Team, he moved to Barcelona in July. Professionally, he changed the shirt and club crest, but the connection of the right back, that commemorates his 24^th birthday this Thursday, with "his" Benfica is forever.

The quick defender, that left Luz to join FC Barcelona in the last transfer window, was launched by the hand of Hélder Cristóvão – in a game against Trofense, on August 10th, 2013, where he was a starter and played the 90 minutes. The reds B team  coach trained the Portuguese international  and was who " transformed" him into the full-back he is today.

"It was the gaffer Hélder who transformed me into a full-back. He was the most important of my career and he taught me a lot", said Nélson Semedo i and interview with BTV, a few months ago. The right back also told that it was the coach that convinced him to stay at the club, in a phase he didn't want to play in that position. "When he asked me to stay as a full-back I didn't like the idea, I wanted to leave, but he convinced me to stay.  The merit [for the transfer to FC Barcelona] is also his", he explained at the time.

I was a decision that changed Nélson Semedo's career forever. He signed for the reds in 2012, at the age of 18, coming from Sintrense. Next, he had a loan spell at Fátima and two seasons in the B team before being boasted by Rui Vitória.

The Cândido Oliveira Super Cup match, against Sporting, on August 9th, 2015, marked his debut in official games in Benfica's first team . He played the 90 minutes and his performance was so convincing that he was a starter in the first match of Liga NOS, against Estoril, a match in which he scored his first goal. He sealed a 4-0 win in the 89th minute.

After came the game against Arouca and Nélson Semedo was once again Rui Vitória's option for the right side.  That was followed by the games with Moreirense and Belenenses, before playing in the Champions League for the first time,  making his European debut against Astana, from Kazakhstan, in a match of the Champions League Group stage (2015/16) held at Estádio da Luz.

A fortnight after, the reds traveled to Spain Atletico Madrid in another match from Group C. Benfica won by 1-2. The Portuguese international was in the starting XI and played the 90 minutes. 

After the debut in Europe, came the first derby.  On September 20th, 2015 he played against FC Porto, completing the 90 minutes.

An injury while playing for the National Team (where nowadays he has 9 caps), in October 2015, put Nélson Semedo out of combat. Nélson Semedo proved his value, recovering his place in the 2016/17 season.

He completed two seasons in the reds first team (2015/16 and 2016/17), where he scored three goals in 65 matches (11  for the Champions League, 43 for the Championship, 5 for the Portuguese Cup, 4 for the League Cup and 2 for the Super Cup). At the age of 24, Nélson Semedo has two National Championships, one Portuguese Cup, one League Cup and one Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup playaing for the reds.

On July 14th, 2017, Nélson Semedo transferred to Barcelona on permanent deal, in a deal the involved a minimum amount of  30,5 million euros.

However, the defender does not forget the Club he graduated from and to which he makes promises of love. “I already was a Benfica fan before playing at Benfica. It all became even more special, because I created many friendships and a special affection for the players who were there and for the coaching staff that helped me a lot.  I will always keep them in my heart”, he assured in an interview with BTV.

“I feel Benfica in the same way, or even more now that I'm just a supporter. Benfica will always be my club”, he added.

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia

Pics: Archive/ SL Benfica