Best known for his spell at Sporting, he also played for Porto in his country, having a two-year stint at Aston Villa in England as well. Over the course of ten seasons, Nélson amassed Primeira Liga totals of 202 games and three goals. After starting professionally at local South Carolina (U.S.) After producing three final solid seasons, where he amassed nearly 100 league appearances and scored one goal apiece, he joined Premier League team Aston Villa in the 1996 summer, under manager Brian Little.
After two productive campaigns with the Midlands side, he signed with Football Club Porto in July 1998 – his first youth club – winning his first national championship in his debut season.
During the following three years Nélson would be used irregularly at Porto (playing as much as 20 matches and as little as none), and moved in 2002 to Vitória de Setúbal. After two seasons with amateurs South Carolina (U.S.) Rio Tinto he retired from football, becoming president of the latter.