Biography
Who is Nelson Valdez?
Early life in Paraguay
Nelson Valdez was born in the San Joaquín District of Paraguay. Growing up in a family with six siblings, he lived in poverty and often lacked basic necessities. He did not own a proper football, so he practiced his skills using socks or an orange. Despite these hardships, he maintained a strong desire to play for the Paraguayan national team.
At age 15, he moved away from his home to join the youth academy of Club Atlético Tembetary. Life during this period was difficult, and he lived under the stadium grandstands for two years. To support himself, he worked night shifts at a local sawmill while continuing his football training. Eventually, he left for Asunción to pursue his professional career.
Professional club career
Nelson began his professional path with Club Atlético Tembetary, making his first-team debut in 2000. In 2001, he moved to Germany to play for Werder Bremen II. His performance in the Regionalliga Nord led to a promotion to the first team. During his time with Werder Bremen, he helped the club win both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal in the 2003–04 season. He later competed in the UEFA Champions League, scoring goals against Valencia.
In 2006, Nelson transferred to Borussia Dortmund for a four-year period. He scored 16 goals in over 100 league appearances during his tenure there. After his time in Germany, he played for clubs in various countries, including Hércules in Spain, Rubin Kazan in Russia, and Al Jazira in the United Arab Emirates. He also spent time with Olympiacos in Greece and Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.
International experience
Nelson represented the Paraguay national team for over two decades. He participated in the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup tournaments, gaining significant international experience. Also, he played in the 2004, 2011, and 2015 Copa América tournaments. In the 2011 edition, he helped the national team finish as runners-up.
Over the course of his international career, Nelson made more than 70 appearances for Paraguay and scored 13 goals. A memorable moment occurred on September 9, 2009, when he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory against Argentina. This result was historically significant for Paraguay and secured their qualification for the 2010 World Cup.
Birthday and age
Nelson Valdez was born on November 28, 1983, which makes Nelson 42 years old today. That birthday falls under the Sagittarius sign. Nelson shares the date with 65 other famous people.
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