But one man is probably going to miss him more than most.
Tommy Smith, the Ipswich Town defender, played alongside Nelsen when the All Whites made the headlines at the 2010 World Cup, and has also been the captain when Nelsen has not been available.
But now Nelsen has hung up the boots for good, and it is time for Smith to step forward.
''He [Nelsen] will be a big loss and not just on the pitch. There was his personality and character off it as well,'' Smith said in Dunedin yesterday.
''He is such a great guy - someone to learn from and who played at the top level of the premier league for seven or eight years. For me, playing in the same position as him, it will be a great loss, having learned off him a lot.
''But he has left the squad in good hands and we can carry it through. This squad has the most depth since I have been involved. Just the quality of young players coming through - you have Marco Rojas, Tim Payne, Chris Wood, all quality players.''
Smith was born in the United Kingdom, brought up in Tauranga after his parents moved to New Zealand, and then spotted by an Ipswich scout when he was 15. He quickly went back to the United Kingdom.
He made an English under-17 side but declared for New Zealand a few months before the 2010 World Cup and played all three matches in the tournament in South Africa.
Now, the focus is on 2014 and Brazil. That starts with a game against New Caledonia at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night. Should they win, the All Whites will qualify for the playoff in November against a Central or North American country.
Smith knows there is plenty riding on the match.
''This game is of vital importance. If we win it we are through to the next stage of qualification and that is the major goal in our minds.
''A couple of their attacking players are their main threats, a striker and a winger. That has stood out for me in the previous games we played against them. But we know we have more than enough quality to put them to the sword.''
Smith lost out on the captaincy to Winston Reid. Commenting before the captaincy decision was made by coach Ricki Herbert, he said he just wanted to play to his potential.
''I would try and be a leader anyway. It is just an armband at the end of the day. As much as I would be proud to have it, I would want to lead the boys as much as I can.''
It will be a whirlwind few days for Smith. The match in Dunedin will be followed by a trip to the Solomon Islands, and then a return to Ipswich for a game against Leeds, at Portman Rd on March 29.
It is not like rugby, with its week-long camps and blackboard sessions, but Smith said the short time spent together for the national side was put to good use.
''It is not ideal but it is the same for the other team. Every international window is the same, really. It is just about cramming information and how you are going to prepare for the games.
''In total it was about a 36-hour trip [to get to Dunedin], and I definitely slept well last night. But now I'm fit and ready to go.
''It is not hard. You are in business class, so there is comfort there. But the time difference knocks your body clock around a bit.''
Ipswich has been battling this season and was bottom of the Championship table for a period. But things are looking up under new manager Mick McCarthy.
''The beginning of the season was quite bad and we found ourselves at the bottom of the table. But since then a new manager has come in and we now find ourselves four points above the relegation point. . . . we've had six clean sheets in the last nine games at the back, so you have to be happy.''
