Neca (footballer)

João Alexandre Duarte Ferreira Fernandes (born 31 December 1979), known as Neca, is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a midfielder.

He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 225 matches and 29 goals over the course of 12 seasons, representing in the competition Belenenses, Vitória de Guimarães, Marítimo and Vitória de Setúbal. He also played professionally in Turkey.

Club career
Born in Lisbon, Neca started playing professionally with local C.F. Os Belenenses, being a starter from an early age. For 2005–06 he moved to fellow Primeira Liga club Vitória S.C. on a two-year contract as a free agent and, although he was an important first-team member in his only season, the Guimarães-based side were relegated and he left.

Neca signed for C.S. Marítimo in summer 2006, on a Bosman transfer. After limited playing time, he was loaned out to Konyaspor in January 2007. He was definitely released by the Madeirans in December but stayed in Turkey, joining Ankaraspor.

On 4 January 2010, Neca agreed on a return to his country, signing with struggling Vitória F.C. until the end of the campaign and contributing 11 games and two goals as the Sadinos eventually escaped relegation. He returned to Konyaspor aged 32, with the club now in the second division.

International career
Neca represented Portugal at both the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. In 2002, courtesy of his consistent performances at Belenenses, he earned two full caps.