Nilson Corrêa Júnior (born 26 December 1975), known simply as Nilson, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is currently a manager.
Most of his 22-year career was spent in Portugal with Vitória de Guimarães, where he appeared in 226 competitive matches over seven seasons, six in the Primeira Liga. He also played for three years with Persepolis in Iran.
Club career Brazil Born in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Nílson started his career at Esporte Clube Vitória, signing with Santa Cruz Futebol Clube in 1999 and achieving promotion from the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B in the same year. He then had loan spells at Sociedade Esportiva do Gama and Associação Atlética Internacional (Limeira).
Nilson was released by Santa Cruz in 2003, for financial reasons. After an injury-ridden stint with Americano FC, he joined Clube Náutico Capibaribe where he won the Campeonato Pernambucano.
Vitória Guimarães In 2003, Nílson was spotted by Vitória S.C. manager Jorge Jesus and agent António Texeira while playing footvolley, with Jesus wanting him to play in Portugal. They lost touch, but later he was contacted again by Teixeira and agreed to move to Portugal that year after his €90,000 release clause was paid, being first choice from the start but not being able to prevent, however, the Guimarães side from being relegated to the Segunda Liga in his first season.
After only missing two league games in 2006–07 as the Minho team returned to the Primeira Liga, Nilson played all matches the following campaign as they achieved a third place, subsequently reaching the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
Persepolis On 17 July 2012, aged nearly 37, Nilson signed a two-year deal with Iranian club Persepolis FC. He helped his new team to finish second in 2013–14 and thus qualify for the AFC Champions League, keeping a Pro League-best 18 clean sheets.
Nilson extended his contract for another year on 24 May 2014, but was released in January 2015.
Later career On 10 July 2015, Nilson returned to Portugal with Moreirense FC. For the following campaign, still in that country but in the second tier, he joined C.F. União.
International career Nilson played for Brazil at under-20 level, and was part of the squad that finished runners-up in the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship although he did not play. In late May 2011, he was invited by Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte to represent the Burkinabé national team, with the nation risking sanctions due to FIFA eligibility rules if he was selected; the following month, the player announced that he would no longer be eligible since a possible call up to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations would have negative impact in his Vitória Guimarães career.
Coaching career After retiring, Nilson worked as a coach, mainly in the state of Pernambuco and in amateur football. In quick succession, he was in charge of Flamengo Esporte Clube de Arcoverde, Sociedade Esportiva Ypiranga Futebol Clube, Sociedade Esportiva Decisão Futebol Clube, Vera Cruz Futebol Clube, Retrô Futebol Clube Brasil, Central Sport Club, Associação Cultural e Desportiva Potiguar and Associação Atlética Maguary.
Nilson returned to Portugal on 9 January 2026, being appointed at Campeonato de Portugal club Oliveira do Hospital.
Career statistics
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Portugal League Taça de Portugal Taça da Liga Europe Total2005–06Vitória GuimarãesPrimeira Liga27010––203002006–07Segunda Liga28000––––2802007–08Primeira Liga3000020––3202008–092402020403202009–102903010––3302010–113006010––3702011–122802000403510 Iran League Hazfi Cup League Cup Asia Total2012–13PersepolisPro League28050––––3302013–1430010––––3102014–159000––0090 Total Portugal19601406010022610 Iran68060––00740 Career total2640190701003000 1 includes appearance in the 2011 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
Honours Vitória Campeonato Baiano: 1996, 1997 Campeonato do Nordeste: 1997
Náutico Campeonato Pernambucano: 2004
Vitória Guimarães Taça de Portugal runner-up: 2010–11
Persepolis Iranian Hazfi Cup runner-up: 2012–13
References
External links
Official website