[2] In a career cut short by injury and suspension, he appeared in 230 Primeira Liga games (scoring 51 goals), also playing for Real Sociedad in Spain for two years.

Born in Porto, Sá Pinto made his professional debut with local Salgueiros and soon represented the Portuguese under-21s, helping the side reach the 1994 UEFA European Championship final.

After some solid performances he attracted the attention of La Liga's Real Sociedad, signing a four-year contract in July 1997 for a fee of 400 million pesetas, but was issued with a year-long worldwide suspension before making his debut.

[17] In early November 2009, Sá Pinto returned to Sporting, replacing former teammate Pedro Barbosa as director of football as coach Paulo Bento was sacked following a string of poor performances/results.

On 21 January 2010, following a physical confrontation with club player Liédson in the team's locker room after the 4–3 home win against Mafra in the Taça de Portugal, he immediately presented his resignation.

[22] Sá Pinto was appointed at Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade on 18 March 2013,[23] winning the first eight SuperLiga matches in charge of the club but resigning his post on 19 June, in disagreement with its board of directors.

[25][26] Sá Pinto returned to Portugal and its capital in June 2015, after agreeing to become Belenenses manager in replacement of Lito Vidigal, signing a two-year contract.

[50] He missed the play-offs after being issued with a 15-day suspension and €2,805 fine for provoking opposing fans after the Vizela game, and then called for his club's supporters to revolt against the local National Republican Guard captain;[51] the force initiated criminal proceedings against him for this declaration.

[55] Sá Pinto eventually finished third in the Persian Gulf Pro League, and also reached the final of the Iranian Hazfi Cup where his side lost 2–1 to Persepolis and he was sent off.

[57] On 8 June 2023, Sá Pinto was confirmed as manager of APOEL in the Cypriot First Division; his assistants were José Dominguez (who worked with him at Gaziantep) and Nuno Morais (who played for over a decade at the Nicosia club).