nˈeɪlsən wʌz ɡɹˈæntᵻd pˌoːɹtʃəɡˈiːz sˈɪɾɪzənʃˌɪp ɪn dᵻsˈɛmbɚ tˈuː θˈaʊzənd fˈaɪv, ænd plˈeɪd ɪnðə tˈuː θˈaʊzənd sˈɪks jˈuːfə jˌʊɹɹəpˈiən ˌʌndɚ twˈɛnti wˈʌn tʃˈæmpiənʃˌɪp.
Nélson was granted Portuguese citizenship in December 2005, and played in the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.