Nélson Monte

Rio Ave

Born in Vila do Conde, Monte joined local Rio Ave FC's youth system in 2012, signing from S.L. Benfica to finish his development. On 30 January 2014, he and Silvério agreed to five-year professional contracts. On 12 April 2014, while still a junior, Monte made his professional − and Primeira Liga − debut, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1−2 home loss against S.C. Olhanense. On 21 August the following year, he was sent off in a 1–0 win over S.C. Braga also at the Estádio dos Arcos. Monte was in advanced negotiations with FC Porto in early February 2016, but the two clubs did not agree terms. In 2017–18, after the losses of Roderick Miranda and Marcelo to the back line, he played the majority of games for the first time; the following season ended for him in March due to surgery on his left ankle. On 1 October 2020, Monte missed in a penalty shootout at home to AC Milan in the play-off round of the UEFA Europa League; his attempt would have won the game had it gone in, but the Italians won 9–8. Monte cut ties with Rio Ave in September 2021, having totalled 139 appearances without scoring.

Dnipro

Shortly after leaving, Monte joined SC Dnipro-1 in the Ukrainian Premier League on a two-year deal. On 24 February 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he was evacuated from the city of Dnipro; he drove into Romania and took a flight back to his home country. On 7 March 2022, FIFA suspended the contracts of all foreign players and coaches affiliated…

Monte earned 13 caps for Portugal at under-19 level, starting with a 1–1 draw with Spain in Budapest on 10 October 2013. He played three under-20 matches in 2015, including a group finale victory over Colombia on their way to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in New Zealand.

As of 15 June 2024