During his extensive professional career, the no-nonsense midfield battler spent more years abroad (Italy, eight) than in his country of adoption (seven), where he represented mainly Sporting CP.

Born in Sá da Bandeira, Portuguese Angola,[4] Vidigal moved to Portugal at an early age, and started his footballing career with amateurs O Elvas CAD, joining Segunda Liga club G.D. Estoril-Praia in summer 1994.

After tentative beginnings, he became an essential defensive unit, contributing a career-best (in Portugal) 32 games in the 1999–2000 season as the Lions won their first title in 18 years, his only career trophy.

He started out at SSC Napoli after signing along Sporting teammates Facundo Quiroga and Abdelilah Saber,[8] but only played four Serie A matches in his first year and the team was also relegated.

Nacional 2–1;[14] however, he missed most of the season due to injury as the capital-based club was also immerse in a severe financial crisis – eventually being relegated from the top flight to the third tier;[15] he retired shortly after.