João Vieira Pinto

Career As a youth, Pinto played for Bairro do Falcão (where he was born, in Campanhã, Porto's east side) and Águias da Areosa, finishing his development at Boavista after joining its academy as a 12-year-old. Early on, he impressed with his speed and ball control, and was subsequently one of the brightest stars in Portugal's wins in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Riyadh and Lisbon, being one of three players ever to have been on the winning side in this competition twice along with goalkeeper Fernando Brassard (whom however did not play in the first tournament) and Argentinian Sergio Agüero. Additionally, he made his Primeira Liga debut at only 17.

Pinto's performance in the first youth competition earned him a transfer to Atlético Madrid in 1990, but he was placed instead with the reserve team. After a forgettable season he rejoined Boavista, appeared in every match, scored eight goals and won the Taça de Portugal, in a final against city rivals Porto. eventually recovering but being unable to help his team win the title. However, the next season, he played arguably his best football there, his best moment coming in the Lisbon derby against Sporting CP, where he scored three goals and was on the play of the remaining three in a 6–3 win at the Estádio José Alvalade; this result proved to be decisive for the club's clinching of the 1994 national championship. Following a wage dispute with president João Vale e Azevedo, he was released from contract weeks before the UEFA Euro 2000 (making him the only free agent in the competition), where he helped the national team reach the semi-finals after scoring eight goals during the qualifying stage, netting through a header against England in a 3–2 comeback win in the group stage on 13 June 2000; he was also selected for the Euro 1996 tournament.

Subsequently, Pinto had several offers from abroad, eventually agreeing to a four-year deal at Sporting. After a relatively poor season in 2000–01, the Lions acquired four-time Portuguese Golden Boot winner Mário Jardel, and Pinto returned to his golden years in a magnificent run which ended with the claiming of his second title; named the "father of the team" by the Brazilian, took part in all but one game and scored nine goals. he also caused some controversy when he assaulted a fireman in the league fixture at Rio Ave on 20 September 1997.

The lowest point, however, was when Pinto hit Argentine referee Ángel Sánchez who had sent him off after a bad tackle early into the 1–0 loss to hosts South Korea in the third group game of the 2002 World Cup. He was suspended for six months.

Pinto ended his Portugal career with 81 caps and 23 goals. Never recovering fully from the World Cup incident, he failed to impress in the following seasons, when Sporting failed to reach the top two spots, and in 2004 he was released from contract, returning to Boavista. Although he was close to signing with Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the January transfer window, he remained with his first professional club.

After a second season carrying Boavista's squad (who almost qualified for the UEFA Cup, with him scoring nine league goals and receiving numerous Player of the match awards), signing for one year. He netted twice in 24 appearances in an eventual fourth-place finish for the Minho side, and renewed his link for the 2007–08 campaign; however, during February 2008, he trained with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer and, later that month, announced the termination of his contract at Braga, retiring shortly after aged 36.

Personal life

Still in his teens, Pinto had two children from his first marriage to Carla Baía; In 2008 he married television presenter Marisa Cruz, with the couple divorcing five years later.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition + List of international goals scored by João PintoNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition

Honours Boavista Taça de Portugal: 1991–92 Taça de Portugal: 1992–93, 1995–96 Taça de Portugal: 2001–02

Portugal FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1989, 1991 UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 1994 UEFA European Under-18 Championship runner-up: 1988, 1990 UEFA European Under-16 Championship runner-up: 1988

Individual CNID Footballer of the Year: 1992, 1993, 1994 Portuguese Golden Ball: 1993, 1996 SJPF Player of the Month: February 2006