Nelinho facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Nelinho

Nelinho in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Manoel Rezende de Mattos Cabral
Date of birth	(1950-07-26) July 26, 1950 (age 75)
Place of birth	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Position(s)	Right back
Youth career
1965	Olaria
1965–1970	América (RJ)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1970	América (RJ)
1970–1971	Barreirense	6	(0)
1971	Anzoátegui
1972	Bonsucesso
1972	Remo	10	(0)
1973–1980	Cruzeiro	410	(43)
1980–1981	Grêmio	2	(1)
1981–1982	Cruzeiro	17	(4)
1982–1987	Atlético Mineiro	274	(52)
Total		755	(100)
International career
1974–1980	Brazil	21	(6)
Managerial career
1993	Atlético Mineiro
1994	Cruzeiro
Medal record Representing  Brazil FIFA World Cup Third 1978 Argentina
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Manoel Rezende de Mattos Cabral (born July 26, 1950), better known as Nelinho, is a famous former Brazilian football player. He was a skilled right back. Nelinho played for many clubs in Brazil and even in other countries. He is especially remembered for playing with rival teams Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro in Belo Horizonte. Nelinho also proudly represented the Brazilian national team in two FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Nelinho's Football Journey

Nelinho was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His parents were from Portugal. He started his football journey at a local club called Olaria. Later, he signed his first professional contract with América.

Playing in Other Countries

Nelinho's talent took him to Portugal. He played for a team called Barreirense. After that, he had a short time playing in Venezuela for Deportivo Anzoátegui.

Return to Brazil

Nelinho soon came back to Rio de Janeiro. He played for Bonsucesso. Then, he was loaned to Remo. His great performances in the 1972 Brazilian Championship caught attention. This led to him joining Cruzeiro for the next season.

Success with Cruzeiro

At Cruzeiro, Nelinho became a star. He helped the team win the Campeonato Mineiro (a state championship) four times. These wins were in 1973, 1974, 1975, and 1977. A big highlight was winning the Copa Libertadores in 1976. He even scored goals in two of the final matches against River Plate.

Nelinho was recognized as one of the best players. He was chosen for the "Bola de Prata" (Silver Ball) team of the year three times. This happened in 1975, 1979, and 1980. Overall, he played 411 games for Cruzeiro and scored 105 goals.

Time with Grêmio and Atlético Mineiro

After Cruzeiro, Nelinho briefly played for Grêmio. There, he won another state championship, the Campeonato Gaúcho. In 1982, he returned to Belo Horizonte. This time, he joined Atlético Mineiro, Cruzeiro's big rivals.

He finished his playing career at Atlético Mineiro. He won four more Campeonato Mineiro titles with them. These were in 1982, 1983, 1985, and 1986. He also received another Bola de Prata award in 1983.

Playing for Brazil

Nelinho played for the Brazilian national team 21 times. He scored six goals for his country between 1974 and 1980. He helped Brazil win the Taça do Atlântico in 1976. He also played in two Copa América tournaments.

World Cup Appearances

Nelinho played in the 1974 FIFA World Cup and the 1978 FIFA World Cup. He played three matches in 1974 and four in 1978. In the 1978 World Cup, he scored one of the most amazing goals in World Cup history. It was in the third-place match against Italy. From the right side of the field, he kicked the ball with the outside of his right foot. The ball curved perfectly around the goalkeeper, Dino Zoff, and into the net.

Life After Football

After retiring from playing football, Nelinho got involved in politics. He joined the Democratic Labour Party in Brazil. In 1987, he was elected as a State Deputy for Minas Gerais.

Later, he returned to football for a short time as a coach. He managed Atlético Mineiro in 1993 and Cruzeiro in 1994. In 2005, Nelinho worked as a football expert for TV channels. Today, he owns a health club in Belo Horizonte.

Achievements and Awards

Nelinho won many titles and awards during his career.

Club Trophies

• Cruzeiro
  • Campeonato Mineiro: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977
  • Copa Libertadores: 1976
• Grêmio
  • Campeonato Gaúcho: 1980
• Atlético Mineiro
  • Campeonato Mineiro: 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986

International Trophies

• Brazil
  • Taça do Atlântico: 1976

Individual Awards

• Bola de Prata: 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983

See also

In Spanish: Nelinho para niños