[2] In 2003, aged 25, he moved to Portugal, signing for S.C. Salgueiros in the Segunda Liga and making a very good first impression during pre-season; however, facing serious economic problems, the club was relegated to the third division and lost all of its professional players.
In a controversial move, he joined the former following allegedly "bad behaviour" from both his agent and the latter club's board of directors;[9][10][11] he agreed to a deal until June 2011, for €1 million.
[12] When Moretto arrived at the Estádio da Luz, both José Moreira and Quim were injured, so he was immediately inserted in manager Ronald Koeman's starting XI.
[14][15] Moretto did not have an easy time after joining Benfica because, alternating above-average performances with subpar ones, he suffered from the animosity of their supporters, which undermined his concentration.
[16][17][18] Following the departure of Koeman and arrival of his replacement Fernando Santos, he was relegated to the role of substitute, with Quim again becoming the starter; during 2006–07 he played only once, often splitting the bench with Moreira.