.jpg) Oliveira playing for Portugal in 2013 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nélson Miguel Castro Oliveira | ||
| Date of birth | 8 August 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Barcelos, Portugal | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Rennes | ||
| Number | 11 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1999–2002 | Santa Maria | ||
| 2003–2006 | Braga | ||
| 2003–2004 | → Bairro Misericórdia (loan) | ||
| 2006–2009 | Benfica | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2009– | Benfica | 12 | (0) |
| 2010 | → Rio Ave (loan) | 10 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | → Paços Ferreira (loan) | 23 | (4) |
| 2012–2013 | → Deportivo La Coruña (loan) | 30 | (4) |
| 2013–2014 | → Rennes (loan) | 10 | (6) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2006–2007 | Portugal U16 | 9 | (3) |
| 2007–2008 | Portugal U17 | 11 | (3) |
| 2009–2010 | Portugal U19 | 27 | (9) |
| 2010–2011 | Portugal U20 | 19 | (9) |
| 2011– | Portugal U21 | 4 | (2) |
| 2012– | Portugal | 14 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 27 October 2013.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22 October 2013 | |||
Nélson Miguel Castro Oliveira (born 8 August 1991) is a Portuguese professional footballerwho plays for Stade Rennais F.C. on loan from S.L. Benfica as a striker.
Club career
Born in Barcelos,[1][2] Oliveira finished his youth career at S.L. Benfica having arrived at age 15 from Sporting de Braga, being a prolific scorer for both clubs. He made his first-team debut in a2008–09 pre-season friendly against G.D. Estoril Praia, courtesy of manager Quique Flores, and was even called to a UEFA Cup match against S.S.C. Napoli, but eventually returned to the juniors.
The same happened to Oliveira in 2009–10. However, in January 2010, he made his professional – and first division – debuts, being loaned until June to Rio Ave FC; his first game came on 7 February, as he played the last 10 minutes of the 2–0 home win against Leixões SC.
Oliveira's loan was initially extended for the entirety of the 2010–11 season but, on 12 August 2010, he moved to F.C. Paços de Ferreira, in the same predicament.[3] He scored on his debut on 12 September, a 1–1 draw at C.S. Marítimo and, the following month, helped Paços come from behind at Associação Naval 1º de Maio (2–1) by netting the winning goal from a direct free kick.
On 14 October 2011 Oliveira made his official debut for Benfica, playing 45 minutes in a 2–0 away win against Portimonense S.C. for the season's Portuguese Cup.[4] On 18 January of the following year, he playing the entire game against C.D. Santa Clara for the League Cup group stage, and scored in a 2–0 home win;[5] the following month, for the same competition – thePortuguese Football Federation ruled that, for the tournament, at least two national players would have to appear in a game for 45 minutes – he opened the score against Marítimo (3–0, home).[6]
On 6 March 2012 Oliveira made his Champions League debut, playing only ten minutes but scoring the final goal in a 2–0 home win against FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, with Benfica qualifying to the last-eight 4–3 on aggregate.[7] On 31 July he moved to Deportivo de La Coruña in Spain in a season-long loan, alongside several compatriots.[8]
On 20 August, in the La Liga opener against CA Osasuna, Oliveira scored his first goal for theGalicians, netting from a counter-attack in the 90th minute to make it 2–0 for the hosts.[9] During his spell, he acted as backup to veteran Riki.
On 26 July 2013 Oliveira was loaned to Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais F.C. on a season-long move, with the French having the option to make the deal permanent afterwards.[10] He scored his first goal in only his second appearance, but in a 1–2 loss at OGC Nice.[11]
Oliveira netted a brace for Rennes on 24 August 2013, as they recorded a 2–1 away win againstEvian Thonon Gaillard FC.[12]
International career
Youth
Oliveira represented the Portuguese under-17 team in the qualification for the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship. In 2009 he was named in the squad for the European Under-19 Championship qualifying tournament, but the country failed to ensure a place in the finals in Ukraine; the following year, in the same category, he represented the nation at European Championship, scoring one goal in the 2–0 win against Italy.[13]
On 22 May 2011 Oliveira was selected by the under-20s for the 2011 Toulon Tournament,[14] where he played three matches and netted once. He also helped the team finish second in that year's FIFA World Cup held in Colombia, scoring four goals – including one in the final against Brazil, a 2–3 extra time loss – and providing two assists. He received the Man of the match award twice in addition to the Silver Ball for the second best player in the tournament.
Oliveira made his debut for the under-21 team on 6 October 2011, in a Euro 2013 qualification matchagainst Poland. On 11 November, for the same competition, he scored a brace against Moldova (5–0 home win).
Senior team
On 24 February 2012, Oliveira was called up for the first time to the senior team, for a friendly match with Poland.[15] He replaced Nani for the last ten minutes of the 0–0 draw in Warsaw,[16] and eventually made it to the list of 23 for UEFA Euro 2012.[17]
Oliveira played 20 minutes in the group stage opener against Germany after coming on for Hélder Postiga, in an eventual 0–1 loss.[18] He made three other substitute appearances in the tournament, in an eventual semifinal exit.
In Portugal's next game after Euro 2012, Oliveira scored his first international goal, in a 2–0 win against Panama
