Nélson Oliveira

Benfica

On 12 August 2010, he was loaned to Paços de Ferreira.

On 14 October 2011, Oliveira made his debut for Benfica, playing 45 minutes in a 2–0 away win against Portimonense for the season's Portuguese Cup. On 18 January of the following year, he played the entire game against Santa Clara for the League Cup group stage, and scored in a 2–0 home win The following month, in the same competition – the Portuguese Football Federation ruled that, for the tournament, at least two national players would have to appear in a game for 45 minutes – he opened the score against Marítimo (3–0, home). On 6 March 2012, Oliveira made his Champions League debut, playing only ten minutes but scoring the final goal in a 2–0 home win against Zenit Saint Petersburg, with Benfica qualifying for the last-eight 4–3 on aggregate.

Loan to Deportivo La Coruña

On 31 July, he moved to Deportivo La Coruña in Spain in a season-long loan, alongside several compatriots. On 20 August, in the La Liga opener against Osasuna, Oliveira scored his first goal for the Galicians, from a counter-attack in the 90th minute to make it 2–0 for the hosts. On 19 May 2013, he found himself in controversy after shushing the Ultras after his goal against Espanyol. He later apologized for his actions.

Loan to Rennes

On 26 July 2013, Oliveira was loaned to Ligue 1 club Rennes on a season-long move, with the French having the option to make the deal permanent afterwards. He scored his first…

Youth

Oliveira represented the Portugal under-17 team in the qualification for the 2008 UEFA European Championship. In 2009, he was named in the squad for the European Under-19 Championship qualifying tournament, but the country failed to ensure a place in the finals in Ukraine; the following year, in the same category, he represented the nation at European Championship, scoring one goal in the 2–0 win against Italy. On 22 May 2011, Oliveira was selected by the under-20s for the 2011 Toulon Tournament, where he played three matches and netted once. He also helped the team finish second in that year's FIFA World Cup held in Colombia, scoring four goals – including one in the final against Brazil, a 2–3 extra time loss – and providing two assists. He received the Man of the match award twice, in addition to the Silver Ball for the second best player in the tournament.

Oliveira made his debut for the under-21 team on 6 October 2011, in a Euro 2013 qualification match against Poland. On 11 November, for the same competition, he scored a brace against Moldova (5–0 home win).

Senior team

On 24 February 2012, Oliveira was called up for the first time to the senior team, for a friendly match with Poland five days later. He replaced Nani for the last ten minutes of the 0–0 draw in Warsaw, and eventually made it to the list of 23 for UEFA Euro 2012. Oliveira played 20 minutes in the group stage opener against Germany after coming on for Hélder Postiga, in an…

Club

As of match played 10 January 2026

International

As of match played 31 August 2017

As of 31 August 2017 Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Oliveira goal.

Club

Paços de Ferreira

Taça da Liga runner-up: 2010–11 Benfica

Taça da Liga: 2011–12 Rennes

Coupe de France runner-up: 2013–14 PAOK

Greek Cup runner-up: 2021–22 Vitória Guimarães

Taça da Liga: 2025–26

International

Portugal U20

FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up: 2011

Individual

FIFA U-20 World Cup: Silver Ball 2011 Golden Globes (Portugal): Best Newcomer 2012

Orders

Knight of the Order of Prince Henry