Nélson Augusto Tomar Marcos (born 10 June 1983), known simply as Nélson, is a Cape Verdean-born Portuguese footballer who plays as a right back. After making a name for himself at Benfica, appearing in 107 official games over three seasons, he went on to spend the vast majority of his career in Spain, representing Betis, Osasuna, Almería and Alcorcón. He also competed professionally in Italy and Cyprus. Nélson won four caps for the Portugal national team, during three years. Club career Early years Born in Sal, Cape Verde, Nélson started his professional career with Vilanovense FC. He began making a name in the Primeira Liga with Boavista FC, having joined from soon-to-be-extinct S.C. Salgueiros also in Porto. In May 2005, Nélson was involved in a car crash along with countryman and former Boavista player José Bosingwa, who represented FC Porto at the time. The latter, behind the wheel of his jeep at the time of the accident, was travelling too quickly and due to wet conditions he crashed the car into an embankment which was followed by the car bursting into flames; one passenger required his foot to be amputated, whilst the other three were unharmed. Benfica Nélson signed with S.L. Benfica from Boavista for €1.5 million in the summer of 2005, on a five-year contract. He made the right-back spot his own upon his arrival, making twenty-five appearances during his first season; in the 2006–07 campaign, he was also a starter. In the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League, after having faced Manchester United in the same competition and stage the season before, Nélson scored a fantastic goal with a long-range shot into Edwin van der Sar's top-right hand corner at Old Trafford, on 6 December 2006; eventually, the game was lost 1–3 and Benfica had to settle for a place in the UEFA Cup after finishing third. Betis In late August 2008, Nélson moved to Real Betis in Spain for €6 million, on a five-year deal. He quickly became an automatic first-choice, as the Andalusia side was eventually relegated. On 31 August 2010, Nélson was loaned to CA Osasuna, with the Navarrese having an option to make the move permanent at the season's end. Battling with Damià for first-choice status throughout the vast majority of the campaign, he netted on 20 December 2010 in a 4–0 away victory over Hércules CF, his first goal in over four years. On 11