Luis Neto is a Portuguese football player, the central defender of the St. Petersburg "Zenith" and the national team of Portugal, the champion of Russia in 2015. He began his career in football club Varzim spent the 2012/13 season in the ranks of the Italian Siena. Since 2013 he has been the leading central defender of Zenit, vice-champion of the Premier League 2013/14, Champion of Russia 2015. He has been playing in the Portuguese national team since 2013, a participant in the world championship in Brazil.

• Full name: Luis Carlos Novo Neto
• Date and place of birth: May 26, 1987, Povoa de Varzim (Portugal)
• Position: central defender

Luis Neto club career

Luis spent eight years in the notorious academy of the Varzim club. In 2006, he signed a professional contract with this club and made his debut on highest level. In the ranks of "Varzim" he spent 5 years, he acted in the main, then in the backup team. In 2011, he moved to the ranks of Nacional. In this team, he spent a confident season 2011/12, played in 25 matches of the Portuguese Primeira.

In the summer of 2012, he was bought by the Italian Siena. In this team he played 20 matches, scored 1 goal. At the end of the season, the team was relegated from Italy's elite division, and Netu signed an agreement with Zenit St. Petersburg. On February 1, 2013, the defender moved to the blue-white-blue camp for 7 million euros. On February 21, he made his debut in the St. Petersburg club, entering starting lineup clash against Liverpool.

In the 2013/14 season, he was a key player in the St. Petersburg club, played 25 out of 30 matches in the Premier League, as well as 7 matches in the Champions League. Helped Zenit win silver medals in the national championship. In the 2014/15 season, Neto won the championship title with the "anti-aircraft gunners". The Portuguese took part in just 10 meetings, losing in competition to the Argentine central defender Ezequiel Garay. In January 2015, he was close to moving to the ranks of the Greek Olympiacos, but the anti-aircraft gunners kept the player in the squad.

In the summer of 2015, Olympiacos again tried to acquire a defender of the Portuguese national team, but this time was also refused. A couple of days before the start of the 2014/15 season, Neto extended the agreement with the St. Petersburg club for two years. He appeared in the starting lineup for the 2015 Russian Super Cup match, as well as in the first round of the 2015/16 season. In both meetings I received a warning.

Luis Neto's international career

Played 8 matches for the Portugal Under-20s and Under-21s. Since 2013, he has been a player in the main team of the Portuguese, on February 7, 2013 he made his debut in a match against Ecuador. In the summer of 2014, he went as part of the “chosen ones” to world championship to Brazil, but never entered the field.

Achievements of Luis Neto

• Champion of Russia 2015
• Vice-champion of Russia 2014
• Cup of Russia 2016
• Winner of the Russian Super Cup 2015, 2016

However, he managed to say his word during his playing career. On the this moment he is one of the most useful legionnaires in the St. Petersburg "Zenith" - however, he played not only for Russian team. In this article, you will learn what this central defender managed to achieve, which clubs he played for, what role he played in the Portuguese national team, and so on. Luis Neto is a very interesting player who has had quite an impressive and varied career.

Carier start

Luis Neto was born on May 26, 1988 in Portugal, where he began to get involved in football. At the age of ten, he was in football academy small club "Varzim", where he spent all his childhood. There he learned all the skills, got practice before signing a professional contract with this club in 2006. However, initially no one considered him as a promising or promising footballer - his level was far from the highest. Therefore, in his first season for the adult team "Varzim" he played only one match. In subsequent years, the situation did not improve much - Neto played only 27 matches in three years, which was extremely small. He was already 22 years old when he was allowed to join the club's base - only in the 2010/2011 season did he start coming out from the first minutes of the match and quickly showed himself from the best side. In one season, he played more games than in the previous four years, while scoring two more goals. But the complete lack of trust of the club's management in the past led Luis Neto to refuse to renew his contract with the club. As a result, in 2011, the 23-year-old defender moved to Nacional.

Move to Nacional

Already from the first matches for Nacional, Luis Neto, whose biography says that from that moment on, the player’s life took a sharp turn, showed that this club for him is only a starting step to get into more strong team. There he spent only one season, played 32 matches in which he scored one goal. And immediately received an offer from the Italian "Siena" - this meant that the defender would participate in one of the strongest European championships. "Nacional", of course, received compensation for the player in the amount of almost four million euros. However, Luis Neto is a football player who will never rest on his laurels, which is why he did not stay long in Italy either.

Performances in Italy

In the new club, Neto did not even have time to play a season - he arrived in the summer and left already in the winter. The thing is, they're interested. Russian club"Zenith", and everyone knows that in Russia the schedule of games is very different from that in other countries. Therefore, Neto, having played only 22 matches for Siena, decided to move to St. Petersburg, where he was offered a stunning salary. “Siena” also did not remain deprived – she received six and a half million euros in compensation. That's how it ended up in the club for which he now stands, the Portuguese defender Luis Neto. “Zenith” saw him as a 100% base player, and the Portuguese is still doing an excellent job with his tasks.

Playing for Zenit

Although the Russian championship is not among the top five European championships, Zenit constantly takes part in the Champions League, and under Neto he even won one championship, one cup and two super cups - these were the first trophies in his career for the Portuguese. To date, he has played three and a half seasons for the St. Petersburg club, having entered the field 111 times. Now Neto is 28 years old, which means he has reached the peak of his career, but he is not considered a strong enough player. He does not even receive a call to the national team, although he continues to play constantly in Zenith. His contract runs until 2019, but it is likely that he will be extended. Of course, we should not forget that Zenit acquired this summer, which is considered one of the most outstanding Russian defenders the last time. However, Neto can always be saved by his versatility, as he can play both on the right flank of the defense and in the position of a defensive midfielder.

Performances for the national team

In the Portuguese national team, Neto clearly does not play leading roles - he made his debut only in 2013, when he was already 25 years old. But they called him to the national team back in 2012 - they simply didn’t let him out on the field, but kept him in reserve. Neto played his first match against Ecuador, where the Portuguese lost 2:3. As a result, he went to the 2014 World Cup, but spent all three matches on the bench, as he was only fourth in the center of defense - even after Pepe was sent off, it was not him, but Ricardo Costa, who made up the pair. As a result, Neto did not go to Euro 2016 in principle, and at the moment he has played only eleven matches for the national team. The last one was in November 2015, when Luis started for a friendly against Luxembourg. So far, Neto is too young to end his career in the national team, so he is just waiting for his chance, although the probability is extremely small, because even after the departure of Ricardo Costa, the Portuguese have another player to replace -

Luis Carlos Nova Neto (port. Luis Carlos Novo Neto; was born 26 of May 1988, in Povoa de Varzine , Portugal), better known as Luis Neto - Portuguese soccer player , centre-back football club" Zenith" And Portugal national team.

Club career

"Varzim"

Youth career began at the academy of the club " Varzim”, in which Netu spent eight years. In the summer of 2006, he signed a contract with the club, for which he played for five years. He played in 53 matches, although at one time he fell into disgrace and settled in the reserve for a long time.

"Nacional"

In the summer of 2011, Neto received an offer to join the club Nacional Funchal who performed in elite division championship. In the 2011/12 season, Neto quickly established himself in the starting XI and helped the club to a seventh-place finish.

"Sienna"

In the summer of 2012, the Portuguese went abroad for the first time, becoming a player in the Italian club " Sienna". Played 4 matches for the youth national team of Portugal. In October 2012, for the first time received a call to national team Portugal.

"Zenith"

February 1, 2013 signed a contract with the St. Petersburg " Zenith» . The transfer amount was 7 million euros. He made his debut in the club on February 21 in the match 1/16 finals of the Europa League against " Liverpool » .

In January 2015, he stated that he would like to play in " Olympiacos »

I have an agreement with Olympiacos. But now we need to find out if Zenit will accept the offer. As I said earlier, I cannot rule out any turn of events. I know Olympiacos and its head coach Vitor Pereira well. For me it great option I would love to play there. But I have current contract, so I can’t say anything specific.www.gazzetta.gr/

International career

An excerpt characterizing Neto, Luis

On the 30th, Pierre returned to Moscow. Almost at the outpost he met the adjutant of Count Rostopchin.
“And we are looking for you everywhere,” said the adjutant. “The Count needs to see you. He asks you to come to him immediately on a very important matter.
Pierre, without stopping home, took a cab and drove to the commander-in-chief.
Count Rostopchin only arrived in town this morning from his country dacha in Sokolniki. The antechamber and reception room of the count's house were full of officials who came at his request or for orders. Vasilchikov and Platov had already seen the count and explained to him that it was impossible to defend Moscow and that it would be surrendered. Although these news were hidden from the inhabitants, the officials, the heads of various departments knew that Moscow would be in the hands of the enemy, just as Count Rostopchin knew it; and all of them, in order to lay down their responsibility, came to the commander-in-chief with questions about how they should deal with the units entrusted to them.
While Pierre entered the reception room, the courier, who came from the army, left the count.
The courier waved his hand hopelessly at the questions addressed to him, and passed through the hall.
While waiting in the waiting room, Pierre looked with tired eyes at the various, old and young, military and civil, important and unimportant officials who were in the room. Everyone seemed dissatisfied and restless. Pierre approached one group of officials, in which one was his acquaintance. After greeting Pierre, they continued their conversation.
- How to send and return again, there will be no trouble; and in such a situation one cannot answer for anything.
“Why, he writes,” said another, pointing to the printed paper he held in his hand.
- That's another matter. This is necessary for the people,” said the first.
- What is it? Pierre asked.
- And here's a new poster.
Pierre took it in his hands and began to read:
“The Most Serene Prince, in order to quickly connect with the troops that are coming towards him, crossed Mozhaisk and stood in a strong place where the enemy would not suddenly attack him. Forty-eight cannons with shells have been sent to him from here, and his Serene Highness says that he will defend Moscow to the last drop of blood and is ready to fight even in the streets. You, brothers, do not look at the fact that government offices have been closed: things need to be cleaned up, and we will deal with the villain with our court! When it comes to something, I need fellows, both urban and rural. I'll call a call for two days, but now it's not necessary, I'm silent. Good with an ax, not bad with a horn, and best of all is a triple pitchfork: a Frenchman is not heavier than a sheaf of rye. Tomorrow, after dinner, I am taking Iverskaya to the Ekaterininsky hospital, to the wounded. We will sanctify the water there: they will recover sooner; and I am now healthy: my eye hurt, and now I look both ways.
“And the military people told me,” said Pierre, “that it’s impossible to fight in the city and that the position ...
“Well, yes, that’s what we’re talking about,” said the first official.
- And what does it mean: my eye hurt, and now I look in both? Pierre said.
“The count had barley,” said the adjutant, smiling, “and he was very worried when I told him that people came to ask what was the matter with him. And what, count, ”the adjutant suddenly said, turning to Pierre with a smile,“ we heard that you have family concerns? What if the countess, your wife ...
“I didn’t hear anything,” Pierre said indifferently. – What did you hear?
- No, you know, because they often invent. I say what I heard.
– What did you hear?
“Yes, they say,” the adjutant said again with the same smile, “that the countess, your wife, is going abroad. Probably nonsense...
“Perhaps,” said Pierre, looking absently around him. - And who is this? he asked, pointing to a short old man in a clean blue coat, with a big beard as white as snow, the same eyebrows, and a ruddy face.
- This? This is a merchant alone, that is, he is an innkeeper, Vereshchagin. Have you heard this story about the proclamation?
- Oh, so this is Vereshchagin! - said Pierre, peering into the firm and calm face of the old merchant and looking for an expression of treachery in him.
- It's not him. This is the father of the one who wrote the proclamation,” said the adjutant. - That young one, sits in a hole, and it seems to him that it will be bad.
One old man, in a star, and the other, a German official, with a cross around his neck, approached the conversation.
“You see,” said the adjutant, “this is a complicated story. Appeared then, about two months ago, this proclamation. The Count was brought. He ordered an investigation. Here Gavrilo Ivanovich was looking for, this proclamation was in exactly sixty-three hands. He will come to one: who do you get from? - From that. He goes to: who are you from? etc., we got to Vereshchagin ... an undereducated merchant, you know, a merchant, my dear, - the adjutant said smiling. - They ask him: from whom do you have? And most importantly, we know from whom he has. He has no one else to get from, as from the director's mail. But, apparently, there was a strike between them. He says: from no one, I composed it myself. And they threatened and asked, he stood on that: he composed it himself. So they reported to the Count. The count ordered to call him. "From whom do you have a proclamation?" - "I wrote it myself." Well, you know the Count! the adjutant said with a proud and cheerful smile. - He flared up terribly, and think about it: such impudence, lies and stubbornness! ..
- BUT! The Count needed to point out Klyucharev, I understand! Pierre said.
“It’s not necessary at all,” the adjutant said frightened. - There were sins for Klyucharev even without this, for which he was exiled. But the fact is that the count was very indignant. “How could you compose? says the Count. I took this "Hamburg newspaper" from the table. - Here she is. You didn’t compose, but translated, and translated it badly, because you don’t know French, you fool.” What do you think? “No, he says, I didn’t read any newspapers, I composed them.” “And if so, then you are a traitor, and I will put you on trial, and you will be hanged. Tell me, from whom did you get it? “I didn’t see any newspapers, but I composed them.” And so it remained. The count also called on his father: he stands his ground. And they put him on trial, and sentenced, it seems, to hard labor. Now the father has come to plead for him. But bad boy! You know, a kind of merchant's son, a dandy, a seducer, he listened to lectures somewhere and already thinks that the devil is not his brother. After all, what a young man! His father has a tavern here by the Stone Bridge, so in the tavern, you know, there is a large image of the Almighty God and a scepter is presented in one hand, a power in the other; so he took this image home for a few days and what did he do! Found the bastard painter...

In the middle of this new story, Pierre was called to the commander in chief.
Pierre entered Count Rostopchin's office. Rostopchin, grimacing, was rubbing his forehead and eyes with his hand, while Pierre entered. The short man was saying something, and as soon as Pierre entered, he fell silent and left.
- BUT! Hello, great warrior, - said Rostopchin, as soon as this man left. - Heard about your prouesses [glorious deeds]! But that's not the point. Mon cher, entre nous, [Between us, my dear,] are you a Mason? - said Count Rostopchin in a stern tone, as if there was something wrong in this, but that he intended to forgive. Pierre was silent. - Mon cher, je suis bien informe, [To me, my dear, everything is well known,] but I know that there are Masons and Freemasons, and I hope that you do not belong to those who, under the guise of saving the human race, want to destroy Russia.
“Yes, I am a Mason,” answered Pierre.
“Well, you see, my dear. I think you are not unaware that Messrs. Speransky and Magnitsky have been sent to the right place; the same was done with Mr. Klyucharev, the same with others who, under the guise of building the temple of Solomon, tried to destroy the temple of their fatherland. You can understand that there are reasons for this and that I could not exile the local postmaster if he were not a harmful person. Now I know that you sent him yours. a carriage to get out of the city and even that you took papers from him for safekeeping. I love you and do not wish you harm, and since you are half my age, I, as a father, advise you to stop all contact with such people and leave here yourself as soon as possible.
- But what, count, is Klyucharev's fault? Pierre asked.
“It is my business to know and not yours to ask me,” cried Rostopchin.
“If he is accused of distributing Napoleon’s proclamations, then this has not been proven,” said Pierre (without looking at Rostopchin), “and Vereshchagin ...