Hélio Pinto
{{Short description|Portuguese footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Portuguese name|Ribeiro|Pinto}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Hélio Pinto
|image = Hélio José Ribeiro Pinto (Hélio Pinto).jpg
|upright = 0.9
|caption = Pinto playing for APOEL in 2011
|fullname = Hélio José Ribeiro Pinto{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/helio-pinto/louletano/1618-101-17780|title=Helio Pinto|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=Portuguese|accessdate=15 April 2020}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|2|29|df=yes}}
|birth_place = Portimão, Portugal
|position = Central midfielder
|currentclub =
|youthyears1 = 1994–1999 | youthclubs1 = Portimonense
|youthyears2 = 1999–2002 | youthclubs2 = Benfica
|years1 = 2002–2004 | clubs1 = Benfica B | caps1 = | goals1 =
|years2 = 2003–2004 | clubs2 = Benfica | caps2 = 2 | goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2004–2006 | clubs3 = Sevilla B | caps3 = 18 | goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2005–2006 | clubs4 = → Apollon Limassol (loan) | caps4 = 25 | goals4 = 2
|years5 = 2006–2013 | clubs5 = APOEL | caps5 = 190 | goals5 = 16
|years6 = 2013–2015 | clubs6 = Legia Warsaw | caps6 = 43 | goals6 = 7
|years7 = 2014 | clubs7 = Legia Warsaw II | caps7 = 1 | goals7 = 0
|years8 = 2015–2016 | clubs8 = Al-Mesaimeer | caps8 = 15 | goals8 = 0
|years9 = 2016 | clubs9 = Anorthosis | caps9 = 0 | goals9 = 0
|years10 = 2016–2017 | clubs10 = Kongsvinger | caps10 = 11 | goals10 = 0
|years11 = 2017 | clubs11 = Trikala | caps11 = 3 | goals11 = 0
|years12 = 2017 | clubs12 = Kongsvinger | caps12 = 10 | goals12 = 0
|years13 = 2018 | clubs13 = NorthEast United | caps13 = 3 | goals13 = 0
|years14 = 2018–2021 | clubs14 = Louletano | caps14 = 59 | goals14 = 0
|totalcaps = 380 | totalgoals = 25
|nationalyears1 = 2002 | nationalteam1 = Portugal U18 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 1
|nationalyears2 = 2002–2003 | nationalteam2 = Portugal U19 | nationalcaps2 = 14 | nationalgoals2 = 0
|nationalyears3 = 2004 | nationalteam3 = Portugal U20 | nationalcaps3 = 1 | nationalgoals3 = 0
|manageryears1 = 2021–2022 | managerclubs1 = Louletano B (assistant)
|manageryears2 = 2022 | managerclubs2 = Louletano B
|manageryears3 = 2022–2023 | managerclubs3 = Olhanense
}}
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.{{cite news|url=https://tribuna.expresso.pt/a-casa-as-costas/2018-11-25-Acho-que-foi-Deus-que-me-enviou-para-jogar-na-Polonia.-A-minha-filha-nasceu-com-o-esofago-cortado-ao-meio-e-os-especialistas-estavam-la|title="Acho que foi Deus que me enviou para jogar na Polónia. A minha filha nasceu com o esófago cortado ao meio e os especialistas estavam lá"|trans-title="I think it was God that sent me to play in Poland. My daughter was born with her esophagus split in half and the specialists were there"|newspaper=Expresso|first=Alexandra|last=Simões de Abreu|language=Portuguese|date=25 November 2018|accessdate=16 September 2022}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01fb-0e7c4364f0b4-d33095de1f71-1000--lyon-stunned-as-apoel-fairy-tale-continues/|title=Lyon stunned as APOEL fairy tale continues|publisher=UEFA|first=Andrew|last=Haslam|date=7 March 2012|accessdate=16 September 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/apoel-nos-quartos-da-champions-sim-e-verdade|title=APOEL nos quartos da Champions: sim, é verdade|trans-title=APOEL in the Champions' last-eight: yes, it's true|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Catarina|last=Machado|language=Portuguese|date=8 March 2012|accessdate=16 September 2022}} On 5 June 2013, he signed a three-year contract extension{{cite web|url=http://www.apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=9658&tt=graphic&lang=l1|title=Pinto Δεκαετίας!|trans-title=Decade of Pinto!|publisher=APOEL FC|language=Greek|date=5 June 2013|accessdate=5 June 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517115656/http://www.apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=9658&tt=graphic&lang=l1|archivedate=17 May 2014}} but, later that month, announced he was leaving after seven years.{{cite web|url=http://www.apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=9807&tt=graphic&lang=l1|title=Helio Pinto Σ' ευχαριστούμε|trans-title=Helio Pinto thank you|publisher=APOEL FC|language=Greek|date=20 June 2013|accessdate=20 June 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624111748/http://www.apoelfc.com.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=9807&tt=graphic&lang=l1|archivedate=24 June 2013}}
On 21 June 2013, Pinto agreed to a two-year deal (with an option for another season) with Legia Warsaw from Poland.{{cite web|url=http://legia.com/news,36259-helio_pinto_i_lukasz_broz_w_legii.html|title=Helio Pinto i Łukasz Broź w Legii|trans-title=Helio Pinto and Łukasz Broź to Legia|publisher=Legia Warsaw|language=Polish|date=21 June 2013|accessdate=21 June 2013}} He was released two years later,{{cite web|url=http://legia.com/aktualnosci/helio-pinto-odchodzi-z-legii-47066|title=Helio Pinto odchodzi z Legii|trans-title=Helio Pinto leaves Legia|publisher=Legia Warsaw|language=Polish|date=9 June 2015|accessdate=9 June 2015}} moving to the Qatar Stars League with Al-Mesaimeer Sports Club shortly after.{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/internacional/mercado/helio-pinto-apresentado-no-al-mesaimeer-do-qatar|title=Hélio Pinto apresentado no Al-Mesaimeer do Qatar|trans-title=Hélio Pinto presented at Qatar's Al-Mesaimeer|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Sérgio|last=Pereira|language=Portuguese|date=22 June 2015|accessdate=13 July 2015}}
On 2 February 2016, Pinto returned to Cyprus and joined Anorthosis Famagusta FC.{{cite web|url=http://www.sigmalive.com/en/sports/football/cyprus-football/a-league/140936/anorthosis-famagusta-announce-h%25C3%25A9lio-pinto-signing|title=Anorthosis Famagusta announce Hélio Pinto signing|publisher=Sigma TV|first=Mario|last=Hajiloizis|date=2 February 2016|accessdate=3 February 2016}} The following 28 January, he signed with Greek club Trikala F.C. from Norway's Kongsvinger IL Toppfotball.{{cite web|url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/trikala/phran-kai-elio-pinto-ta-trikala.4501101.html|script-title=el:Πήραν και Έλιο Πίντο τα Τρίκαλα|trans-title=And Trikala got Hélio Pinto|publisher=Sport 24|first=Vassilis|last=Tempelis|language=Greek|date=28 January 2017|accessdate=10 March 2017}}
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.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/campeonato-de-portugal/detalhe/helio-pinto-reforca-louletano.html|title=Hélio Pinto reforça Louletano|trans-title=Hélio Pinto reinforces Louletano|newspaper=Record|first=Armando|last=Alves|language=Portuguese|date=15 June 2018|accessdate=23 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.cfa.com.cy/Gr/news/10929|script-title=el:Κύπριοι υπήκοοι οι Πίντο, Τζούνιορ και Λαμπάν|trans-title=Pinto, Junior and Laban Cypriot nationals|publisher=Cyprus Football Association|language=Greek|date=27 July 2012|accessdate=27 July 2012}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/campeonato-de-portugal/detalhe/helio-pinto-e-o-novo-treinador-do-olhanense|title=Hélio Pinto é o novo treinador do Olhanense|trans-title=Hélio Pinto is the new manager of Olhanense|newspaper=Record|first=Armando|last=Alves|language=Portuguese|date=8 November 2022|accessdate=11 June 2023}} His only season resulted in unprecedented relegation to the district leagues, nine years after being a top-flight club;{{cite web|url=https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2023/03/historico-olhanense-desce-aos-distritais/|title=Histórico Olhanense desce aos distritais|trans-title=Historic Olhanense go down to the district leagues|publisher=Sul Informação|first=Pedro|last=Lemos|language=Portuguese|date=13 March 2023|accessdate=2 July 2023}} he was then replaced by Miguel Serôdio.{{cite news|url=https://www.abola.pt/futebol/noticias/3000-no-jose-arcanjo-ukra-e-mateus-fernandes-nao-ficam-indiferentes-ao-novo-olhanense-2023101523220378621|title=3000 no José Arcanjo: Ukra e Mateus Fernandes não ficam indiferentes ao ‘novo’ Olhanense|trans-title=3000 at the José Arcanjo: Ukra and Mateus Fernandes do not frown 'new' Olhanense|newspaper=A Bola|first=Jorge|last=Anjinho|language=Portuguese|date=16 October 2023|accessdate=12 March 2024}}
Career statistics
{{updated|28 April 2019}}{{WorldFootball.net|helio-pinto}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Benfica
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2003–04
|Primeira Liga |2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in UEFA Cup|name=UC}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||
| Sevilla B
|18 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | ||||
| Apollon Limassol (loan)
|25 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 2 | |||||
| rowspan="8"|APOEL
|Cypriot First Division |23 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 5 | |
| 2007–08{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/helio-pinto/40278/|title=Hélio Pinto|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=12 February 2015}}
|Cypriot First Division |28 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearances in Cypriot Super Cup|name=CSC}} | 1 | 39 | 3 | |
| 2008–09
|Cypriot First Division |27 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 5{{efn|name=UC}} | 2 | 1{{efn|Appearances in Cypriot Super Cup|name=CSC}} | 0 | 38 | 5 | |
| 2009–10
|Cypriot First Division |25 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 12{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearances in Cypriot Super Cup|name=CSC}} | 0 | 45 | 3 | |
| 2010–11
|Cypriot First Division |26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=UEL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 2 | ||
| 2011–12
|Cypriot First Division |32 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 14{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearances in Cypriot Super Cup|name=CSC}} | 0 | 50 | 1 | |
| 2012–13
|Cypriot First Division |29 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UEL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 36 | 6 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!190 | 16 | 34 | 4 | 48 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 276 | 25 | |
| rowspan="3"|Legia Warsaw
|25 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 7{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League|name=UECL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 7 | ||
| 2014–15
|Ekstraklasa |18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!43 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 8 | |
| Legia Warsaw II
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Al-Mesaimeer
|15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 0 | |||
| Kongsvinger
|2016 |11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 1 | |||
| Trikala
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| Kongsvinger
|2017 |1. divisjon |10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 0 | |||
| NorthEast United
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| Louletano
|24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 0 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!345 | 26 | 45 | 5 | 58 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 452 | 36 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Apollon Limassol
APOEL
- Cypriot First Division: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
- Cypriot Cup: 2007–08
- Cypriot Super Cup: 2008, 2009, 2011
Legia Warsaw
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{ForaDeJogo}}
- {{90minut|15098}}
- {{FPF national player|517474}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pinto, Helio}}
Category:21st-century Portuguese sportsmen
Category:Portuguese men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Portimão
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Segunda Divisão players
Category:Campeonato de Portugal (league) players
Category:S.L. Benfica B players
Category:S.L. Benfica footballers
Category:Louletano D.C. players
Category:Segunda División B players
Category:Sevilla Atlético players
Category:Cypriot First Division players
Category:Apollon Limassol FC players
Category:Anorthosis Famagusta FC players
Category:Legia Warsaw II players
Category:Qatar Stars League players
Category:Norwegian First Division players
Category:Kongsvinger IL Toppfotball players
Category:Football League (Greece) players
Category:Indian Super League players
Category:NorthEast United FC players
Category:Portugal men's youth international footballers
Category:Portuguese expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Cyprus
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Poland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Qatar
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Norway
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in India
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Poland
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Qatar
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Norway
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Greece
Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in India