Custódio Pinto


Custódio João Pinto was a Portuguese footballer who played as a central midfielder.

Club career

Born in Montijo, Setúbal District, Pinto made his senior debut with FC Porto, first appearing in the Primeira Liga at the age of 19. During his ten-year spell with the northerners he amassed competitive totals of 311 matches and 102 goals, but only won one trophy, the 1968 Portuguese Cup.
In the summer of 1971, Pinto signed with Minho club Vitória de Guimarães, where he would play four seasons. He retired from professional football at 36 after a stint with F.C. Paços de Ferreira, but returned to the Segunda Liga two years later when he signed with Oliveira do Bairro SC.

International career

Pinto earned 13 caps for Portugal, scoring once. He made his debut on 29 April 1964 by coming on as an 80th-minute substitute in a 3–2 friendly win over Switzerland in Zürich, and was selected to the squad that appeared in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, not leaving the bench for the third-placed team.
Pinto's last international match was played on 4 May 1969 in Porto, as Portugal drew 2–2 against Greece for the 1970 World Cup qualifiers, eventually finishing bottom in their group.

Personal life

Pinto died on 21 February 2004 shortly after having celebrated his 62nd birthday, in the northern city of Gondomar.
His older brother, Manuel, was also an international footballer.

Honours

Club

Porto
Portugal