Nélson Cabral Semedo was born on the 16th day of November 1993 to his parents in Lisbon, Portugal.
Speaking about his origin, Semedo is the mixture of both Portuguese and Cape Verdean heritage.
This explains the reason why the energetic player is quite close to his fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo who also have Cape Verdean roots.
Nelson Semedo grew up with his beloved mother, a relatively unknown father and a brother in the Portuguese suburb of Mira-Sintra.
Nelson since his childhood had nothing but fond memories of the time spend with his elder brother who preferred to follow the route of rejecting soccer and the following education up to his postgraduate.
Nelson since his childhood had nothing but fond memories of the time spend with his elder brother who preferred to follow the route of rejecting soccer and the following education up to his postgraduate.
Apart from him being a PlayStation addict, Nelson also got himself addicted to the wearing FC Barcelona T-Shirt.
As at the time he decided to start playing Street Football with friends on local pitches. At that time, it was all about street football.
I had never played for an official team. I tried a few times when I was young but I couldn’t manage it. I started playing in the streets. said Nelson Semedo.
While most notable footballers we know today had picked up a career at relatively young ages, Nelson Semedo became different. He continued playing street football until he was 15, the year a Sintrense club staff saw him and took an interest in his abilities.
Before his attempted trial at Sintrense, a club with notable standard, Semedo had been previously told he was too small to make it. Looking at how a string of other youngsters made it, he was able to prove that stature is no barrier if effort and application are given in ample measure.
Semedo’s passion for soccer in 2008 saw him passing his trials and enrolling into the roster of local youth team Sintrense.
A local side in Portugal’s third division at that time.
Sintrense’s team management provided Nelson Semedo with a stress-free environment which he needed to progress. Nelson Semedo started playing as a midfield who liked playing up front and scoring goals.
Semedo’s initial progress was slow-burning with patience being his best suit. Patience and determination within 3 years of play saw him explosively rising above his young football ranks and getting promotion into the club’s senior team. At this time, he got monitored by top Portuguese clubs among whom was Benfica who acquired his services.
Sometimes, a lucky twist of fate happens in football. Nelson Semedo might not be the best right back in the world who aspire to play for FC Barcelona. But his childhood determination and aspiration paid off on the 13th day of July 2017 when FC Barcelona announced his signature with the club.
“I talked with Andre about how big the club is, the good atmosphere in the locker room and that it is really like a family” Semedo revealed upon signing. “I liked what he told me and I’m lucky to be here to experience it with him.”
Nelson Semedo became the 12th Portuguese to turn out for the Catalan side, following names such as Figo, Deco and Vitor Baia. Throughout his incredible career, he has been awarded LPFP Primeira Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year(2016-17) and among the UEFA Champions League Breakthrough XI (2017).
Indeed, little would Nelson Semedo have imagined that some years ago, a 15 years old street footballer like him would end up at Barça. The rest, as they say, is history.
Semedo appears to be someone who is deeply connected to his family and his Cape Verdean roots. Cape Verde is not a rich nation like Portugal.
The country hardly plays friendlies because of the expense incurred. Over the years, there has been an exodus of players from the Cape Verdean national squad. One of such footballer is ex-Manchester United player Nani who was born in Praia (capital of Cape Verde) but opted to represent
Portugal. Other notable footballers with Cape Verde roots include; Patrick Viera and Henrik Larsson.
