Nélson Veríssimo
Quick Facts
Biography
Nélson Alexandre da Silva Veríssimo (born 17 April 1977) is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a central defender, and a current assistant coach of S.L. Benfica B.
Club career
Veríssimo was born in Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon District. During his professional career, the youth graduate at S.L. Benfica (having joined the club's youth system at the age of 12, he only appeared in four first-team games during his short spell) represented F.C. Alverca – the first of his spells being while they acted as the former's farm team– Académica de Coimbra, Vitória de Setúbal, C.D. Fátima and C.D. Mafra.
In the Primeira Liga alone, Veríssimo amassed totals of 221 matches and two goals, mostly for Alverca and Setúbal, adding 149/3 in the Segunda Liga. He gained 19 caps for the Portugal under-21 team.
Immediately after retiring, Veríssimo rejoined Benfica, being appointed assistant coach with the reserves in the second division, first under Luís Norton de Matos then former teammate at the club Hélder Cristóvão.