João Pinto

João Manuel Vieira Pinto CvIH (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʒwɐ̃w̃ ˈpĩtu]; born 19 August 1971) is a Portuguese retired professional footballer who played mostly as a forward.

For other Portuguese footballers named João Pinto, see João Pinto (disambiguation).

This name uses Portuguese naming customs: the first or maternal family name is Vieira and the second or paternal family name is Pinto.
João Pinto
Pinto in 2013
Personal information
Full name João Manuel Vieira Pinto
Date of birth (1971-08-19) 19 August 1971
Place of birth Porto, Portugal
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1982–1983 Águias da Areosa
1983–1988 Boavista
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1989 Boavista 17 (4)
1990–1991 Atlético Madrileño 30 (9)
1991–1992 Boavista 34 (8)
1992–2000 Benfica 220 (64)
2000–2004 Sporting CP 115 (28)
2004–2006 Boavista 57 (11)
2006–2008 Braga 33 (3)
Total 506 (127)
National team
1987–1988 Portugal U16 15 (5)
1988–1989 Portugal U18 22 (11)
1989–1991 Portugal U20 18 (3)
1991–1994 Portugal U21 16 (5)
1991–2002 Portugal 81 (23)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Blessed with playmaking and goalscoring ability, he made his name mostly at a domestic level and as a key figure in the Portuguese national team's "Golden Generation",[1] collecting 152 caps and scoring 47 goals all categories comprised (81/23 for the senior team alone) and representing the country in one World Cup and two European Championships.

At the club level, Pinto started his career with Boavista, but it was mainly associated with two of the biggest clubs in the country, Benfica and Sporting, with which he won one Primeira Liga each for a total of six major titles combined. Over 19 top-division seasons, he played 450 matches and netted 112 goals.

Football career

As a youth, Pinto played for Bairro do Falcão (where he was born, in Campanhã, Porto's east side) and Águias da Areosa FC, and once tried to join FC Porto's youth system – refused, he moved to Boavista F.C. instead. As a child, 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;[2][3][4] 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 club's B-team. After a forgettable season he rejoined Boavista, played every game, scored eight goals and helped his team win the 1992 Portuguese Cup, in a final against city rivals Porto; shortly after, he signed with S.L. Benfica.

Whilst with Benfica, Pinto's career was threatened in late 1992 by a collapsed lung during an international match for Portugal in Scotland for the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers[5]– he did recover, but was unable to help the team win the title. However, in 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.[6][5]

Dubbed "The Golden Boy", Pinto won club captaincy from veteran António Veloso after the latter's retirement in 1995, but was unable to win a national title again. Arguably, the lack of quality of a poorly managed Benfica side played a part in his lack of development after 1995, as he was considered as the main talent of the Portuguese squad alongside playmaker Rui Costa. Finally, after a wage dispute with president João Vale e Azevedo,[7] he was released from contract weeks before the UEFA Euro 2000 (making him the only free-agent in the competition),[8] where he helped the national team reach the semi-finals after scoring eight goals during the qualifying stage: on 13 June 2000, he netted through a header against England for a 3–2 group stage win, after a two-goal disadvantage;[9] he was also selected for Euro 1996.[10][11]

After the end of the tournament Pinto had several offers from abroad, and after almost signing with Porto he settled for Sporting instead, agreeing to a four-year deal.[12] After a relatively poor season in 2000–01, the Lions hired four-time Portuguese Golden Boot winner Mário Jardel, and Pinto returned to his golden years in a magnificent run which ended with the conquest of his second title; named the "father of the team" by the Brazilian, he played all but one game and scored nine goals.[13]

Although a highly talented player, Pinto was also known for a series of red cards for aggression and bad tackles – his feud with Porto player and national teammate Paulinho Santos lasted for years, and both players would be frequently sent off after hitting each other.[14] Other incidents that stirred some controversy included one case of aggression against a fireman during the half-time break and elbowing a C.F. Estrela da Amadora player during a practice match.

The lowest point, however, was when Pinto hit Argentine referee Ángel Sánchez (in the third group stage game, against South Korea, at the 2002 World Cup), who had sent him off after a bad tackle early in the match.[15] He was suspended for six months.[16]

Pinto ended his Portugal career with 81 caps, 23 goals, and appearances in Euro 1996, Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup. Never recovering fully from the incident at the latter tournament, 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 FC of Saudi Arabia in the January transfer window, he remained with his first professional club.[17]

After a second season carrying Boavista's squad (who almost qualified for UEFA Cup, with him scoring nine league goals and receiving numerous Player of the match awards), Pinto accepted the invitation of S.C. Braga's board in July 2006,[18] signing for one year. He netted twice in 24 appearances in an eventual fourth-place finish for the Minho side, and extended his contract for the 2007–08 campaign;[19] however, during February 2008, he trained with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer and, late into that month, announced the termination of his contract at Braga,[20] retiring shortly after at nearly 37 years of age.[5]

Subsequently, Pinto worked with the Portuguese Football Federation in directorial capacities.[21][22][23]

Personal life
Pinto in 2011

Still in his teens, Pinto had two children from his first marriage to Carla Baía.[24][5] The elder, Tiago, first played professionally with C.D. Olivais e Moscavide;[25] in 2008 he married television presenter Marisa Cruz, with the couple divorcing five years later.[24]

Pinto's younger brother, Sérgio, was also a footballer, having played almost exclusively in the lower leagues of Portugal and one year in England.[26]

Career statistics

Club

[27][28]

Club Season League Cup Europe Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Boavista 1988–89 60000060
1989–90 1130022135
Total 1730022195
Atlético Madrid B 1990–91 00000000
Total 00000000
Boavista 1991–92 3485040438
Total 3485040438
Benfica 1992–93 2176141319
1993–94 341521824418
1994–95 2445171366
1995–96 311864514223
1996–97 28766634016
1997–98 2563120307
1998–99 2841073367
1999–2000 2931050353
Total 220643014441129489
Sporting 2000–01 3165150417
2001–02 33962514412
2002–03 2581000268
2003–04 2651040315
Total 1152813314114232
Boavista 2004–05 2624100303
2005–06 31911003210
Total 571152006213
Braga 2006–07 2420000242
2007–08 91000091
Total 3330000333
Career total 47611756207515605152

International goals

[29][30]

João Pinto: International goals
GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
120 November 1991Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal Greece1–01–0Euro 1992 qualifying
219 June 1993Estádio do Bessa, Porto, Portugal Malta3–04–01994 World Cup qualification
313 October 1993Estádio das Antas, Porto, Portugal  Switzerland1–01–01994 World Cup qualification
49 October 1994Daugava Stadium (Riga), Riga, Latvia Latvia0–11–3Euro 1996 qualifying
59 October 1994Daugava Stadium (Riga), Riga, Latvia Latvia0–21–3Euro 1996 qualifying
618 December 1994Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal Liechtenstein4–08–0Euro 1996 qualifying
719 June 1996City Ground, Nottingham, England Croatia0–20–3UEFA Euro 1996
85 October 1996Olimpiysky National Sports Complex, Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine1–12–11998 World Cup qualification
97 June 1997Estádio das Antas, Porto, Portugal Albania1–02–01998 World Cup qualification
1014 October 1998Štadión Pasienky, Bratislava, Slovakia Slovakia0–10–3Euro 2000 qualifying
1114 October 1998Štadión Pasienky, Bratislava, Slovakia Slovakia0–20–3Euro 2000 qualifying
1226 March 1999Estádio D. Afonso Henriques (1965), Guimarães, Portugal Azerbaijan2–07–0Euro 2000 qualifying
1326 March 1999Estádio D. Afonso Henriques (1965), Guimarães, Portugal Azerbaijan5–07–0Euro 2000 qualifying
149 June 1999Estádio Municipal de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal Liechtenstein2–08–0Euro 2000 qualifying
159 June 1999Estádio Municipal de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal Liechtenstein5–08–0Euro 2000 qualifying
169 June 1999Estádio Municipal de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal Liechtenstein6–08–0Euro 2000 qualifying
1718 August 1999Estádio Nacional, Lisbon, Portugal Andorra2–04–0Friendly
189 October 1999Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal Hungary2–03–0Euro 2000 qualifying
1912 June 2000Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands England2–23–2UEFA Euro 2000
2016 August 2000Estádio do Fontelo, Viseu, Portugal Lithuania1–05–1Friendly
216 June 2001Estádio José Alvalade (1956), Lisbon, Portugal Cyprus5–06–02002 World Cup qualification
226 June 2001Estádio José Alvalade (1956), Lisbon, Portugal Cyprus6–06–02002 World Cup qualification
236 October 2001Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal Estonia1–05–02002 World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

Boavista

Benfica[31]

Sporting

International

Portugal

Individual

See also

References
  1. "Retirement beckons for João Pinto". UEFA. 22 July 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  2. "Agüero, para entrar en la historia" [Agüero, out to make history]. La Nación (in Spanish). 21 July 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  3. Ribeiro, Ireneu (20 August 2011). "Geração de ouro faz 20 anos" [Golden generation celebrates 20th birthday]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  4. Alvarenga, Vítor Hugo (3 March 2014). "Riade, 25 anos: como foi e onde estão os campeões" [Riyadh, 25 anos: how did it go and where are the champions] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  5. Costa, Luís Octávio (30 July 2008). "João Pinto – Pai aos 16, campeão do mundo aos 18, disponível aos 36" [João Pinto – Father at 16, world champion at 18, available at 36]. Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  6. Malheiro, João (July 2006). Memorial Benfica 100 Glórias [Benfica Memorial 100 glories] (in Portuguese) (Third ed.). QuidNovi. pp. 82–83. ISBN 978-972-8998-26-4.
  7. "João Pinto rescinde com Benfica" [João Pinto cuts ties with Benfica]. Record (in Portuguese). 4 June 2000. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  8. ""João Pinto tinha lugar no Benfica, mas quisemos cortar com o passado", diz Heynckes" [«João Pinto had a place in Benfica, but we wanted to put the past behind our backs», says Heynckes] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 15 July 2000. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  9. "England crushed in five-goal classic". BBC Sport. 13 June 2000. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
  10. Hodgson, Guy (1 June 1996). "The rising force in Europe counting on their foreign legion; CHAMPIONSHIP COUNTDOWN: No 9 Portugal". The Independent. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  11. "Portugal progress as Group D winners". UEFA. 6 October 2003. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  12. "Joao Pinto joins Sporting Lisbon". ESPN Soccernet. 2 July 2000. Archived from the original on 10 August 2001. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  13. "Overdose de ovos moles e outras histórias de Jardel" [Overdose on soft eggs and other Jardel stories]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 5 December 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  14. Candeias, Pedro (9 May 2014). ""O Paulinho Santos entrava e tinha um alvo: João Pinto"" ["Paulinho Santos came in and he had one target: João Pinto"]. Expresso (in Portuguese). Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  15. "Porto to ask Sporting questions". UEFA. 23 August 2002. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  16. "Portuguese player João Pinto suspended for six months". FIFA. 12 July 2002. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  17. "João Pinto recebeu convites do estrangeiro" [João Pinto has received offers from abroad]. Público (in Portuguese). 1 June 2005. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  18. "Braga bag João Pinto's experience". UEFA. 2 June 2006. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  19. "João Pinto prolongs career at Braga". UEFA. 26 May 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  20. "Pinto expected on Monday". Sportsnet. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  21. "FPF cria cargo para João Pinto" [PFF creates post for João Pinto]. Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 29 December 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  22. "Federação paga salários milionários" [Federation pays monster wages]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 29 October 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  23. Ponte, Pedro (11 June 2016). "João Vieira Pinto: "Estamos numa fase de trabalho intensa"" [João Vieira Pinto: «We're at an intense work stage»]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  24. Sousa, Ana Lúcia (7 February 2013). "Casamento de Marisa Cruz e João Pinto chegou ao fim" [Marriage of Marisa Cruz and João Pinto ended] (in Portuguese). Jornal de Notícias. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  25. "Tiago Pinto: "Quiero alcanzar un nivel elevado"" [Tiago Pinto: "I want to reach a high level"]. Marca (in Spanish). 3 September 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  26. "Waddle debut for Bradford at Blues". The Independent. 12 October 1996. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  27. João Pinto at ForaDeJogo
  28. "João Pinto". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  29. Mamrud, Roberto. "João Manuel Vieira Pinto – Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  30. "João Vieira Pinto". European Football. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  31. "Bicampeões para a história" [Back-to-back champions for the ages]. Visão (in Portuguese). Portugal: Impresa Publishing. May 2015. p. 60. ISSN 0872-3540.

Further reading
  • Lopes, Luís (2008). Os Magníficos: João Pinto, o menino de ouro [The Magnificents: João Pinto, the golden boy] (First ed.). QuidNovi. ISBN 978-989-554-500-1.
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