He appeared in 229 Primeira Liga matches in 16 seasons, mainly with União de Leiria (six years) and Sporting CP (four).

[4][5] After a short abroad stint with Spain's CD Tenerife, appearing rarely for the Segunda División team,[6] Costinha joined C.F.

He only was a starter in his first year as he lost his position after the January 2007 arrival of Brazilian Júlio César,[7][8] being definitely released in the summer of 2009 without any further league appearances and retiring shortly after, aged 35.

[3] Costinha represented Portugal at the 1996 Summer Olympics, playing three matches out of six as the national side finished in fourth place.

[9] Previously, he appeared in all the games at the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship in Australia, with the under-20s losing all three group-stage fixtures (five goals conceded).