Nenê (footballer, born 1983)


Ânderson Miguel da Silva, known as Nenê, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a striker for and captains Primeira Liga club AVS.
After being crowned the Portuguese Primeira Liga's top scorer in the 2008–09 season, he went on to spend most of his professional career in that country and Italy, representing several clubs.

Club career

Born in São Paulo, Nenê began his career with modest Brazilian clubs, also having a spell at Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, then moved abroad to Portugal's C.D. Nacional in July 2008. In his first season in the Primeira Liga he turned in stellar performances, leading the scoring charts with 20 goals by notably netting in home fixtures against Sporting CP and S.L. Benfica, while also helping the Madeira team to reach the semi-finals of the Taça de Portugal and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
In June 2009, Nenê joined Cagliari Calcio on a four-year contract for about €4.5 million, with the player reported to be earning approximately €450,000 per season. He spent his debut campaign in the Italian Serie A alternating between the starting XI and the substitutes bench, but still scored eight goals – second-best in the squad – as the Sardinia club narrowly avoided relegation.
Nenê scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 home win over Calcio Catania on 12 December 2010. In July 2013, aged 30, he renewed his contract for another year.
On 25 July 2014, after five seasons and an average of less than five league goals, the free agent Nenê signed for fellow top-tier side Hellas Verona FC. Late into the following January transfer window he was loaned to Spezia Calcio of Serie B, with the move being made permanent in the summer. He remained at the Stadio Alberto Picco until July 2017, when he joined A.S. Bari in the same division.
Nenê returned to Portugal's top flight on 8 August 2018 after eight years away, agreeing to a one-year deal at Moreirense F.C. with the option of a further campaign. The following March, this clause was activated.
Nenê then took his game to the Liga Portugal 2, continuing to score at an excellent rate for Leixões S.C. and U.D. Vilafranquense. He achieved promotion with the latter at the end of 2023–24, while being crowned top scorer at 23 goals.
On 30 March 2025, Nenê netted in a 4–1 away loss to F.C. Famalicão; in the process, aged 41 years, 8 months and 2 days, he became the second-oldest player to achieve this feat in the Portuguese main division after surpassing José Torres.

Honours

Individual