Luís Neto


Luís Carlos Novo Neto is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Sporting CP.

Club career

Born in Póvoa de Varzim, Neto joined hometown Varzim SC's youth ranks at the age of ten. With the club he played exclusively in the second division, being a backup or third-choice in four of his five seasons; his official debut came on 10 February 2007 in a 2–1 home win against S.L. Benfica for the campaign's Portuguese Cup.
In July 2011, Neto signed with Primeira Liga side C.D. Nacional on a free transfer. He immediately made an impact for his new team, attracting interest from the likes of FC Porto and Arsenal during the following off-season; however, Italy's A.C. Siena eventually won the bid to acquire the player, for €1.7 million.
Neto was an undisputed starter during the first half of the season, scoring his first goal in Serie A in a 1–3 home defeat against A.S. Roma. On 1 February 2013, however, he moved clubs and countries again, joining compatriots Bruno Alves and Danny at FC Zenit Saint Petersburg. He scored his first goal for the Russians on 19 May, netting his team's first in an eventual 3–1 home win over FC Volga Nizhny Novgorod.
On 31 August 2017, Neto signed for Fenerbahçe SK in a season-long move. On 11 March 2019, Sporting CP announced that he would join them on a permanent three-year contract on 1 July.

International career

Neto appeared with the Portugal under-21 team at the 2009 Lusophony Games. He played all four matches during the tournament, as they collected the silver medal.
On 4 October 2012, Neto was called up for the first time to the full side, for 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Northern Ireland. He only made his debut on 6 February of the following year, however, partnering Zenit teammate Alves in a 2–3 friendly loss to Ecuador in Guimarães.
On 19 May 2014, Neto was named in the final 23-man squad for the tournament in Brazil, being an unused member in an eventual group stage exit. He was also selected for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup by manager Fernando Santos. On 2 July, in his only appearance in the latter competition, he scored an own goal against Mexico in the third place play-off.
Neto was included in a preliminary 35-man squad for the 2018 World Cup, but he did not make the final cut.

Club statistics

Honours

Club

Zenit