Nélson Semedo

Nélson Cabral Semedo (born 16 November 1993) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Portugal national team.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Cabral and the second or paternal family name is Semedo.
Nélson Semedo
Semedo with Portugal in 2017
Personal information
Full name Nélson Cabral Semedo[1]
Date of birth (1993-11-16) 16 November 1993[1]
Place of birth Lisbon, Portugal
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Right-back
Team information
Current team
 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Number 22
Youth career
2008–2011 Sintrense
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2012 Sintrense 26 (5)
2012–2016 Benfica B 63 (4)
2012–2013 → Fátima (loan) 29 (0)
2015–2017 Benfica 43 (2)
2017–2020 Barcelona 82 (2)
2020– Wolverhampton Wanderers 101 (1)
International career‡
2016 Portugal U23 1 (0)
2015– Portugal 25 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing Portugal
UEFA Nations League
Winner2019
FIFA Confederations Cup
Third place2017
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 September 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:12, 17 June 2023 (UTC)

Semedo began his career at Sintrense before joining Benfica in 2012. After spending a season on loan at Fátima, he initially appeared for Benfica B before making his first-team debut in 2015 and going on to win back-to-back Primeira Liga titles, among other honours. In July 2017, he signed with Barcelona, winning La Liga in his first two seasons of a three-year stay. In September 2020, Semedo moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers on a three-year contract (with an option of two further years).

Semedo made his senior debut for Portugal in October 2015 and represented the nation at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals and UEFA Euro 2020, winning the 2019 tournament on home soil.

Club career

Benfica

Born in Lisbon, Semedo came through the youth system at Sintrense, making his debut for the first team at age 17.[3] On 12 January 2012, he and Manuel Liz signed five-year contracts with Benfica which were made effective on 1 July 2012.[4] Both then spent one season on loan at Fátima in the third division.[5]

Semedo returned to Benfica in the 2013 off-season, being assigned to the B-side in the Segunda Liga and making his professional debut on 10 August in a 0–0 away draw against Trofense.[6] After nearly 60 appearances for the reserves, he was touted as a future replacement for long-time first-team incumbent Maxi Pereira.[3][7]

Semedo playing for Benfica in the UEFA Champions League

After Pereira's departure, Semedo extended his contract until 2021 and joined the first team on their pre-season tour in North America in July 2015.[8] On 9 August 2015, he made his debut for the main squad in the 0–1 loss against Sporting CP for the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.[9][10] A week later, he scored his first goal for them, against Estoril in the Primeira Liga in a 4–0 home win.[11]

After establishing himself in the starting 11, Semedo suffered a setback in October 2015 when he sustained an injury while with the Portugal national team.[12] The ailment to his right knee required surgery, with him being expected to miss two months.[13] He returned to action in early January,[14] but could not reproduce his previous form and lost his place to André Almeida.[15][16] Semedo finished the campaign in the reserve team.[17]

In 2016–17, Semedo regained his starting position and went on to be Benfica's third-most used player in the club's historic fourth-straight league title.[18] He scored once in the league in a 2–1 win on the road over Arouca[19] and once in the UEFA Champions League in a 3–3 group stage draw to Beşiktaş.[20]

In the final of the Taça de Portugal, played on 28 May 2017, Semedo assisted Eduardo Salvio for the second goal, with Benfica lifting the trophy after defeating Vitória de Guimarães 2–1.[21] For his performances throughout the season, he won the Breakthrough Player of the Year award from the Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional.[22]

Barcelona

On 13 July 2017, Barcelona announced an agreement with Benfica for Semedo's signing, pending medical tests.[23] He signed a five-year contract the following day,[24] with the Portuguese club receiving €30.5 million plus another potential €5 million for every 50 matches he appeared in for his new team.[25] He made his debut on 16 August in second leg of the Supercopa de España against Real Madrid, losing 0–2 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[26]

Semedo made his Champions League debut for the club on 13 September 2017 and was praised for his performance during the 3–0 group stage win over Juventus.[27][28] He scored his first competitive goal for the Catalans – and in La Liga – on 27 January 2019 in a 2–0 away victory against Girona.[29][30] His second goal came against Alavés in a 5–0 win in the season's final match.[31]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 23 September 2020, Semedo moved to English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers in a three-year contract (with an option of two further years)[32] for an initial transfer fee of €30 million (approx. £27.5 million, with a potential further £9.2 million in add-ons) paid by Wolves.[33]

Semedo made his debut for Wolves and his first appearance in the Premier League in a 4–0 defeat away to West Ham United on 27 September 2020.[34] He made his debut Molineux appearance for Wolves in the team's next Premier League match, a 1–0 victory over Fulham on 4 October 2020. He scored his first Wolves goal in head coach Nuno Espírito Santo's final game in charge, the final game of the 2020–21 Premier League season, a 1–2 home defeat to Manchester United on 23 May 2021.[35]

Semedo suffered a hamstring injury in Wolves's game away to Arsenal in the Premier League on 24 February 2022; it was subsequently evaluated that the injury would keep him from returning to action for between four and eight weeks.[36] He had played in 23 of Wolves's 25 Premier League games in the 2021–22 season at the point he sustained this injury. Semedo ultimately returned to first-team action on 24 April 2022 in a Premier League game at Burnley, playing the full 90 minutes plus stoppage time.[37]

On 19 May 2023 it was announced that Wolves had triggered a two-year extension clause in Semedo's contract, to keep him at the club until 2025.[38]

International career
Semedo playing at 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup

Of Cape Verdean descent,[39] Semedo was called-up to play for the Portugal national team on 2 October 2015 for UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying matches against Denmark and Serbia.[40] He earned his first cap in the latter match, playing the entirety of a 2–1 win at the Partizan Stadium in Belgrade.[41]

Semedo was selected for Portugal's 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup squad.[42] He played the last match of the group stage, a 4–0 win against New Zealand.[43] He also appeared in the third-place playoff against Mexico, being sent-off in the 106th minute as his team won the bronze medal.[44]

Semedo was named in Portugal's preliminary 35-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[45] However, he was not selected for Portugal's final 23-man squad for tournament.[46]

In October 2022, he was named in Portugal's preliminary 55-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[47]

Style of play

Semedo is mainly known for his speed, ball control, dribbling and holding on the ball.[48]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 8 October 2023[49][50]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sintrense 2011–12 Terceira Divisão 26510—275
Fátima (loan) 2012–13 Segunda Divisão 29020—310
Benfica B 2013–14 Segunda Liga 170—170
2014–15 Segunda Liga 421—421
2015–16 Segunda Liga 43—43
Total 634—634
Benfica 2015–16 Primeira Liga 12100203[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 2]0181
2016–17 Primeira Liga 31140208[lower-alpha 1]11[lower-alpha 2]0462
Total 432404011120643
Barcelona 2017–18 La Liga 24040—7[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 3]0360
2018–19 La Liga 26190—10[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 3]0461
2019–20 La Liga 32130—7[lower-alpha 1]00[lower-alpha 3]0421
Total 822160—240201242
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2020–21 Premier League 3411000—351
2021–22 Premier League 2502110—281
2022–23 Premier League 3602030—410
2023–24 Premier League 800000—80
Total 10315140—1122
Career total 34515281803514042016

Notes

  1. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  2. Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  3. Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España

International
As of match played 17 June 2023[51]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Portugal 201510
201770
201950
202040
202170
202310
Total250

Honours

Benfica[52]

Barcelona[52]

Portugal

Individual

References
  1. "FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017: List of players: Portugal" (PDF). FIFA. 20 March 2018. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  2. "Nélson Semedo". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  3. "Olho Clínico – Nélson Semedo" [Clinical eye – Nélson Semedo] (in Portuguese). A Outra Visão. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  4. "Mais dois jovens talentos no Benfica" [Two more young talents to Benfica] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 12 January 2012. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  5. "Manuel Liz e Nélson Semedo emprestados ao Fátima" [Manuel Liz and Nélson Semedo loaned to Fátima] (in Portuguese). Agente Desportivo. 9 August 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  6. "Trofense-Benfica B, 0–0: Nulo no arranque" [Trofense-Benfica B, 0–0: Draw to kickstart it]. Record (in Portuguese). 10 August 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  7. "Nélson Semedo visto como solução para o futuro" [Nélson Semedo seen as future solution]. Record (in Portuguese). 5 March 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  8. "Nélson Semedo: "Não estava à espera"" [Nélson Semedo: "I wasn't expecting it"]. Record (in Portuguese). 13 July 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  9. "Nélson Semedo titular" [Nélson Semedo starts]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 9 August 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  10. "Benfica 0−1 Sporting" (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 9 August 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  11. "Veja o golo de Nélson Semedo" [Watch Nélson Semedo goal] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  12. "Nélson Semedo regressou lesionado" [Nélson Semedo returned injured]. Record (in Portuguese). 13 October 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  13. "Nélson Semedo: "Voltarei mais forte"" [Nélson Semedo: "I will return stronger"] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  14. "Nélson Semedo espreita chamada para o Estoril" [Nélson Semedo eyeing call-up to Estoril]. Record (in Portuguese). 15 January 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  15. "O tricampeão voltou" [The three-time champions are back]. Visão (in Portuguese). May 2016. p. 34. ISSN 0872-3540.
  16. Benfica tricampeão [Benfica back-to-back-to-back champions]. May 2016. p. 150. ISBN 978-989-8290-12-0. {{cite book}}: |newspaper= ignored (help)
  17. "Tri glorioso" [Glorious tri]. Record (in Portuguese). Vol. 13, no. 540. 17 May 2016. p. 32. ISSN 0870-2179.
  18. Benfica tetracampeão [Benfica back-to-back-to-back-to-back champions]. May 2017. p. 149. ISBN 978-989-8290-15-1. {{cite book}}: |newspaper= ignored (help)
  19. Benfica tetracampeão [Benfica back-to-back-to-back-to-back champions]. May 2017. p. 22. ISBN 978-989-8290-15-1. {{cite book}}: |newspaper= ignored (help)
  20. "Second-placed Beşiktaş keep knockout hopes alive with sensational comeback". UEFA. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  21. "Benfica conquista 26ª Taça de Portugal" [Benfica win 26th Portuguese Cup] (in Portuguese). Maisfutebol. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  22. "Nélson Semedo vence prémio revelação relativo à temporada 2016/17" [Nélson Semedo wins breakthrough award for the 2016/17 season]. Record (in Portuguese). 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  23. "Agreement reached between FC Barcelona and Benfica on Nélson Semedo transfer". FC Barcelona. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  24. "Nélson Semedo's first day in Barcelona". FC Barcelona. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  25. "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Portuguese Securities Market Commission. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  26. "Madrid beats Barca 2–0 without Ronaldo to win Super Cup". The Washington Post. 16 August 2017. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  27. Marsden, Samuel (12 September 2017). "Lionel Messi scores twice as Barcelona get revenge on Juventus in UCL". ESPN FC. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  28. Butt, Muhammad (13 September 2017). "Semedo is the transformative signing Barca craved: Five things learned from Barcelona 3–0 Juventus". Squawka. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  29. Bona, German (27 January 2019). "Girona 0–2 Barcelona: Semedo and Messi on his comeback do the business". Sport. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  30. Aldunate, Ramiro; Clancy, Conor (27 January 2019). "Semedo gets his first goal in Barcelona colours". Marca. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  31. "Dethroned Barcelona ride Messi, beat Alaves 5-0 on final day of La Liga". ESPN. 19 July 2020.
  32. "Wolves sign Semedo". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 23 September 2020.
  33. "Agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the transfer of Semedo". FC Barcelona. 23 September 2020.
  34. Sutcliffe, Steve (27 September 2020). "West Ham United 4–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers". BBC Sport.
  35. Rose, Gary (23 May 2021). "Wolves 1-2 Manchester United: Nuno Espirito Santo beaten in final game". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  36. Procter, Tom (3 March 2022). "Nelson Semedo set to be out for 4-8 weeks with hamstring injury". Molineux News. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  37. Jurejko, Jonathan (24 April 2022). "Burnley 1–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Matej Vydra scores to boost Premier League survival bid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  38. "Wolves: Nelson Semedo contract extension triggered". BBC Sport. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  39. "Nélson Semedo: e Portugal lá pescou mais um "tubarão"..." [Nélson Semedo: and Portugal fished yet another «shark»...] (in Portuguese). Maisfutebol. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  40. "Nélson Semedo convocado por Fernando Santos" [Nélson Semedo called by Fernando Santos]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 2 October 2015. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  41. "Nélson Semedo e a estreia: "É um sonho tornado realidade"" [Nélson Semedo and the debut "It's a dream turned reality"] (in Portuguese). Maisfutebol. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  42. "Confederations Cup squads". ESPN FC. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  43. "Portugal cruise into semi-finals". FIFA. 24 June 2017. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  44. "Portugal come from behind to finish third". FIFA. 2 July 2017. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  45. "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad – 23-man & preliminary lists & when will they be announced?". Goal. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  46. "Nearly half Portugal's Euro squad to miss World Cup". Special Broadcasting Service. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  47. "The list of pre-selected squad for the 2022 World Cup: know all the names". Record. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  48. "Nélson Semedo". Who Scored. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  49. Nélson Semedo at ForaDeJogo (archived). Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  50. Nélson Semedo at Soccerway. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  51. "Nélson Semedo". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  52. "Nélson Semedo". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  53. "Portugal regressa ao topo da Europa. Liga das Nações fica em casa" [Portugal return to the top of Europe. Nations League stays home] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  54. "SJPF revela os melhores 11 de 2016" [SPFP discloses best 11 of 2016] (in Portuguese). SJPF. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  55. "Sindicato revela os melhores 11 de 2017" [Union discloses best 11 of 2017] (in Portuguese). SJPF. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  56. "Champions League breakthrough team of 2017". UEFA. 24 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  57. "UEFA Nations League Finals: Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
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