Hélio José Ribeiro Pinto (born 29 February 1984) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder, currently a manager.
A youth product of Benfica, he spent most of his career with APOEL in Cyprus, appearing in 276 competitive matches and winning eight major titles. He also played in Spain, Cyprus, Poland, Qatar, Norway, Greece and India.
Club career Pinto was born in Portimão, Algarve. A product of S.L. Benfica's youth system, he could never break into the first team, tottalling just five minutes in the Primeira Liga under José Antonio Camacho. His next stop was in Spain with Sevilla FC, where he only appeared for the reserves.
Still owned by Sevilla, Pinto spent the 2005–06 season in Cyprus with Apollon Limassol FC. Being released the summer, his career settled with another team in the country, APOEL FC.
During his spell with APOEL, Pinto was an important member as the club won the Cypriot First Division on four occasions, adding amongst other trophies the domestic cup in 2007–08. He also appeared in all six group-stage games in their first participation in the UEFA Champions League.
Pinto played eight matches in the 2011–12 Champions League, as the Nicosia-based side surprisingly reached the quarter-finals of the competition. On 5 June 2013, he signed a three-year contract extension but, later that month, announced he was leaving after seven years.
On 21 June 2013, Pinto agreed to a two-year deal (with an option for another season) with Legia Warsaw from Poland. He was released two years later, moving to the Qatar Stars League with Al-Mesaimeer Sports Club shortly after.
On 2 February 2016, Pinto returned to Cyprus and joined Anorthosis Famagusta FC. The following 28 January, he signed with Greek club Trikala F.C. from Norway's Kongsvinger IL Toppfotball.
Following a stint with Indian Super League franchise NorthEast United FC, Pinto returned to Portugal after 14 years and agreed to a contract at third-tier Louletano D.C. on 15 June 2018.
International career Pinto gained Cypriot nationality on 27 July 2012, and the Cyprus Football Association subsequently waited for FIFA approval on whether could play for the national team. The governing body eventually ruled he could not represent his adopted nation, after having appeared for Portugal at under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels.
Coaching career After starting his coaching career with Louletano's reserves, on 8 November 2022 Pinto was named manager of S.C. Olhanense, bottom at the Campeonato de Portugal. His only season resulted in unprecedented relegation to the district leagues, nine years after being a top-flight club; he was then replaced by Miguel Serôdio.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBenfica2002–03Primeira Liga000000—002003–04Primeira Liga202010—50Total202010—50Sevilla B2004–05Segunda División B180———180Apollon Limassol (loan)2005–06Cypriot First Division252——252APOEL2006–07Cypriot First Division2348130003452007–08Cypriot First Division2828020113932008–09Cypriot First Division2725152103852009–10Cypriot First Division25172120104532010–11Cypriot First Division2612061—3422011–12Cypriot First Division32130140105012012–13Cypriot First Division2951061—366Total190163444844127625Legia Warsaw2013–14Ekstraklasa2562170—3472014–15Ekstraklasa181503000261Total4377110000608Legia Warsaw II2014–15III liga, group A10———10Al-Mesaimeer2015–16Qatar Stars League15000——150Kongsvinger20161. divisjon11130——141Trikala2016–17Football League3000——30Kongsvinger20171. divisjon10000——100NorthEast United2017–18Indian Super League3000——30Louletano2018–19Campeonato de Portugal24020——260Career total345264855944145636
Honours Apollon Limassol Cypriot First Division: 2005–06
APOEL Cypriot First Division: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13 Cypriot Cup: 2007–08 Cypriot Super Cup: 2008, 2009, 2011
Legia Warsaw Ekstraklasa: 2013–14 Polish Cup: 2014–15
References
External links