Place of birth Praia, Cape Verde Role Footballer Playing position Height 1.82 m Name Adelino Barros | 1978–1981 Barreirense Position Goalkeeper Years Team | |
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Full name Adelino Augusto da Graca Barbosa Barros Date of birth (1962-01-27) 27 January 1962 (age 53) | ||
Adelino Augusto da Graça Barbosa Barros (born 27 January 1962), known as Deus Neno, is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
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He appeared in 242 Primeira Liga games during 15 seasons, representing mainly Vitória de Guimarães and Benfica.
Club career
Born in Praia, Cape Verde, Neno started his career with F.C. Barreirense, moving to Vitória S.C. in 1984. After one season, already in the Primeira Liga, he signed with S.L. Benfica, originally backing up legendary Manuel Bento.
After one single season at Vitória F.C. and a second spell at Guimarães, Neno rejoined Benfica, going on to experience an interesting battle for first-choice status with Silvino, who also played with both Vitória sides (but not in the same periods); he was the starter in most of the 1990–91 campaign and the entirety of 1993–94, which finished in league conquest.
Following Michel Preud'homme's move to the Estádio da Luz after the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Neno backed him up for one season, but left in 1996 to finish his career with his second club, retiring at 37. Subsequently, he continued to work there in a directorial capacity, while also accumulating as Vitória SC's goalkeeper coach.
International career
Neno gained nine caps for Portugal, his debut coming on 8 June 1989 in a 0–4 friendly defeat with Brazil. His last game was a 2–3 loss to France on 24 January 1996 in another exhibition game, and he would miss selection for UEFA Euro 1996 due to having lost the number one position at his club to younger Nuno Espírito Santo.