Nelson Wilfredo Bonilla Sánchez (born 11 September 1990) is a Salvadoran professional footballer who plays as a forward for Salvadoran Primera Division club FAS and captains the El Salvador national team.

Club career

Alianza

Bonilla scored his first goal for Alianza against Atlético Marte on 13 August 2011. He scored both goals against Águila on 11 September 2011, the match ended 2–1 to Alianza. He scored the only goal against Juventud Independiente on 2 November 2011. On 27 November 2011, he scored a 54th-minute equaliser against Firpo in a match that ended 1–1. On 22 January, he scored the winning goal against Juventud Independiente in the 60th minute, the match ended 2–1. On 5 February 2012, he scored the first goal in a 3–1 defeat against Águila.

Viitorul

In July 2014, Bonilla signed with Romanian club Viitorul Constanța.

Zira

On 31 August 2015, Bonilla signed a two-year contract with Zira FK of the Azerbaijan Premier League. On 23 May 2016, Zira announced that Bonilla had extended his contract with the club for an additional season.

Nacional

On 16 June 2016, it was announced that Bonilla would leave Zira to join Portuguese club Nacional.

Terengganu FC

In August 2024, it was announced the Bonilla had agreed to sign contract with Terengganu FC.

International career

Bonilla made his debut for El Salvador on 23 May 2012 in a 2–2 away draw against New Zealand. Bonilla scored his first goal for El Salvador on 27 May 2012 against Moldova, with his team going on to win 2–0.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 12 May 2023

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Alianza2011–12Salvadoran Primera División297———297
2012–13259———259
2013–14234———234
Total7720———7720
Viitorul Constanța2014–15Liga I25700——257
Zira2015–16Azerbaijan Premier League291423——3117
Nacional2016–17Primeira Liga1421010—162
Gaziantep B.B.2016–17TFF First League3000——30
Sukhothai2018Thai League 132250012—3327
Bangkok United2019Thai League 120161110102317
Port (loan)2020–21Thai League 120633——239
Port2021–22Thai League 1216111010247
Alianza2022–23Salvadoran Primera División72——0072
Chiangrai United2022–23Thai League 112420——144
Terengganu2024-25Malaysia Super League123610–0184
Career total2601021074220276111

International

As of match played 9 June 2024

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
El Salvador201272
201341
201421
2015103
201663
201792
201811
201963
202140
202283
202451
Total6220

Scores and results list El Salvador's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bonilla goal.

List of international goals scored by Nelson Bonilla
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
126 May 2012Cotton Bowl, Dallas, United StatesMoldova1–02–0Friendly
211 August 2012StubHub Center, Carson, United StatesGuatemala1–01–0Friendly
327 January 2013Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa RicaBelize1–01–02013 Copa Centroamericana
418 November 2014Dennis Martínez National Stadium, Managua, NicaraguaNicaragua2–02–0Friendly
511 June 2015Warner Park Sporting Complex, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and NevisSaint Kitts and Nevis2–22–22018 FIFA World Cup qualification
616 June 2015Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El SalvadorSaint Kitts and Nevis2–04–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
74–1
825 March 2016Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El SalvadorHonduras2–22–22018 FIFA World Cup qualification
928 May 2016RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., United StatesPeru1–21–3Friendly
106 September 2016BC Place, Vancouver, CanadaCanada1–21–32018 FIFA World Cup qualification
119 July 2017Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, United StatesMexico1–11–32017 CONCACAF Gold Cup
1216 July 2017Alamodome, San Antonio, United StatesJamaica1–01–12017 CONCACAF Gold Cup
1313 October 2018Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El SalvadorBarbados1–03–02019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualifying
1423 March 2019Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El SalvadorJamaica1–02–02019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualifying
1517 June 2019Independence Park, Kingston, JamaicaCuraçao1–01–02019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
167 September 2019Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El SalvadorSaint Lucia3–03–02019–20 CONCACAF Nations League B
1730 January 2022Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, HondurasHonduras1–02–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
184 June 2022Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El SalvadorGrenada1–03–12022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A
192–1
209 June 2024Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion, Paramaribo, SurinameSaint Vincent and the Grenadines3–13–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification

External links

  • on Instagram
  • at Soccerway
  • at National-Football-Teams.com
  • at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)