After starting out at Sporting CP, he moved abroad at the age of 19, going on to have unassuming spells in England (Newcastle United) and Spain (Valencia) before settling back in his country with Braga.

[10] Viana was unable to cement a starting position, as Speed – for whom Robson saw the Portuguese as a future replacement – was not declining with age, while Kieron Dyer, Jenas and Laurent Robert were also in form.

[13] During his first season he struggled to claim a first-team spot, facing tough competition from the likes of David Albelda and Rubén Baraja, manager Quique Sánchez Flores' preferred duo;[14][15] still, he featured in 19 league games, and displayed some flashes of talent that allowed him to preserve his place in the Portugal national squad.

[18] In the 2008–09 campaign, Viana took no part in manager Unai Emery's plans, being restricted to four UEFA Cup matches and two appearances in the Copa del Rey.

[23] The Minho side eventually finished in a best-ever second place, losing the title to precisely this team in the last matchday, with the player making 28 appearances (six as a reserve, he lost his importance after the return of Uruguayan Luis Aguiar on loan).

[26] On 27 November 2011, in a game against Porto, Viana displayed a white T-shirt with the words 'Gary – Rest In Peace', in a tribute to Speed, who had committed suicide earlier that day.

[28] He made his debut on 30 August in the year's Arabian Gulf Super Cup at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, a penalty shootout victory after a goalless draw against Al Ain; his performance was described as "quiet" by The National, who attributed it to his unfamiliarity with the heat of the Middle Eastern summer.

[38][11] Manager José Romão called him up for the under-23 team for the football tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece;[39] he and João Paulo were sent off in a 4–2 group stage elimination by Costa Rica.

[40] Viana then returned to the senior side, and scored his only international goal on 12 October 2005 to conclude a 3–0 home win over Latvia in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification;[41] he appeared in two matches – both as a substitute – as the team came fourth at the finals in Germany.

[42][43] He was called as a last-minute replacement for injured Carlos Martins to the Euro 2012 squad, with the team already in training camp;[44] he was unused in a run to the semi-finals but ended a five-year international exile in a pre-tournament friendly against Macedonia.