André Neles

André Moreira Neles (4 January 1978 – 6 February 2020), known as André Neles, was a professional footballer who played as a striker. His last club was Alecrim FC.

He started at Uberlândia, but only gained recognition at Atlético Mineiro. After compelling performances, he signed with Benfica in 2000, but could never break into the starting eleven, spending the following four years on multiple loan deals, which included Vitória, Internacional and Palmeiras. In 2004, he signed with Marítimo but only stayed there for a few months, moving from club to club on almost a yearly basis, mainly in the Brazilian lower divisions. Born and raised in Brazil, he was granted Equatorial Guinea nationality in 2007 and won 3 international caps for his national team between 2007 and 2011.

Club career

Early career and Benfica Born in Patrocínio in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Neles started at Uberlândia in 1996 and spent there two seasons. In December 2000, he signed with Benfica for a transfer fee reported by Record to be €2.5M for just half of his economic rights. He made his debut in a friendly match against CSKA Sofia on 10 January 2001, scoring the opening goal in a 1–1 draw. However, in competitive matches, Neles was only a reserve player and he struggled with the lack of playing time.

In July 2001, Neles was sent on his first loan at Benfica, joining Marítimo for one year. He commented his dismissal by Toni saying: "I think I did not have a real opportunity at Benfica. Not even a league match in the starting line-up; only as an option from the bench. From the start of a game, only in friendlies. Of course it is difficult to perform like this." In January 2002, André returned to Benfica and went on a second loan deal, now in Brazil, at Vitória.

There he won the Campeonato Baiano and scored 31 goals in all competitions, 10 of them in the Série A, which included a decisive goal against Palmeiras on 17 November, that guaranteed their relegation. From his previous loan he acknowledged that returning to Brazil was good for him; he matured significantly and was hopeful of returning to Benfica. His spell there was unsuccessful, as he scored only one time, on 9 August against Portuguesa, and spent most of the time as back-up due to 19-year-old, Vágner Love.

Post-Benfica

In January 2004, Neles ended his connection with Benfica and signed with Marítimo for seasons. However, problems outside football led to his quick departure. In June, he was back to Brazil, playing for Atlético Mineiro in the Série A. In mid-2004, he changed teams for a third time in the year, signing with Figueirense, scoring one goal in five matches. In 2005, he joined Fortaleza and played only once for them, spending a year in the Saudi Premier League with Ettifaq FC, and having a two-month stint with Ipatinga. In 2008, Neles moved to Grêmio Barueri, where he played just one league game for them, before going on subsequent loans to Botafogo-SP and Ceará. In the same season, he would play for Oeste in the Série D and for Icasa in the Série B. In February 2011, the 33-year-old signed with América-RN and had good performances in the state league, remaining with América for the entire season.

In December 2011, he signed with Marcílio Dias in the Campeonato Catarinense, but only two months later, he returned to his childhood club, Uberlândia. In August, he had a second spell at Icasa, now competing in the Série C. Neles signed with São Carlos Futebol Clube in January 2013, playing for them in the second tier of the Campeonato Paulista. In 2014, he played at CEOV, helping them to a runner-up finish in the Campeonato Mato-Grossense and in May 2015, joined Rio Branco in the Campeonato Paulista Série A2.

International career In 2007, Neles was offered two-hundred thousand dollars, plus an additional ten thousand per game, to change passport and represent Equatorial Guinea. Although he had a great-grandmother of African descent, he accepted to play for Equatorial Guinea because of the money offered by the Equatoguinean Football Federation. He made his debut in 2007 and according to him, played in 10 games and scored four goals.

International goals

Honours Atlético Mineiro Campeonato Mineiro: 2000

Vitória Campeonato Baiano: 2002

Fortaleza Campeonato Cearense: 2005

Grémio Barueri Campeonato do Interior: 2008

Botafogo-SP Campeonato do Interior: 2010

Personal life Neles' younger brother, Átila Neles, is also a footballer – and a forward. He too spent most of his professional career in Brazil, where he played for Uberlândia.

He confessed to drug use during his time at Palmeiras. Neles died of a heart attack on 6 February 2020, aged 42, at his home in Uberlândia.