Portuguese star who turned down Benfica in summer sidelined, out for 2025 | OneFootball

Nélson Semedo will not play again in 2025. The Portuguese full-back left the match against Basaksehir and Fenerbahçe with an injury, and the Istanbul club announced this Sunday, December 7, that the player suffered a partial tear in the tendon of his right thigh and had to be substituted after 20 minutes of the 15th round match.

According to the statement, the right-back underwent an MRI scan at Atasehir Hospital, which confirmed the diagnosis, and treatment has already begun. The estimated recovery time was not disclosed, but it is certain that the 32-year-old player will not play again this calendar year.

Nélson Semedo chose to move to Turkey to play for Fenerbahçe, when many people expected him to return to Benfica. In the last summer transfer window, the player confirmed some contacts with Benfica, but explained that it was not yet time to return to Portugal.

"There were contacts. I have always been very transparent with the people I spoke to, with my agent, and I always said what I thought. I think it was too soon to return to Portugal, I am 31 years old, but I take good care of myself and my body. I think I still have a few years ahead of me," he admitted.

In 2025/26, wearing the Fenerbahçe shirt, Nélson Semedo – currently valued at 8 million euros – made 21 appearances: 12 in the Turkish league, four in the Champions League playoff, and five in the Europa League. In the 1,590 minutes played on the pitch, the defender scored one goal and provided one assist.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.