Born in Montijo, Setúbal District, Pinto made his senior debut with FC Porto, first appearing in the Primeira Liga at the age of 19.

During his ten-year spell with the northerners he amassed competitive totals of 311 matches and 102 goals, but only won one trophy, the 1968 Portuguese Cup.

[1] In the summer of 1971, Pinto signed with Minho club Vitória de Guimarães, where he would play four seasons (always in the top flight).

[2][1] He made his debut on 29 April 1964 by coming on as an 80th-minute substitute in a 3–2 friendly win over Switzerland in Zürich, and was selected to the squad that appeared in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, not leaving the bench for the third-placed team.

[3] Pinto's last international match was played on 4 May 1969 in Porto, as Portugal drew 2–2 against Greece for the 1970 World Cup qualifiers, eventually finishing bottom in their group.