As a youth, Pinto played for Bairro do Falcão (where he was born, in Campanhã, Porto's east side) and Águias da Areosa FC, finishing his development at Boavista F.C.

[10][3] 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,[11] eventually recovering but being unable to help his team win the title.

His feud with Porto player and national teammate Paulinho Santos lasted for years, and both would be frequently ejected after hitting each other;[23] he also stirred some controversy when he assaulted a fireman in the league fixture at Rio Ave F.C.

[24] 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.

[28] 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),[29][30][7] Pinto accepted the invitation of S.C. Braga's board in July 2006,[31] 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;[32] 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,[33] retiring shortly after aged 36.