After starting out at Vasco da Gama, he went on to spend his career in Portugal, representing União de Leiria and Porto and winning 18 major titles with the latter club. Over 14 seasons, he appeared in 299 Primeira Liga games.
At the end of the 2004–05 campaign, having been first-choice in his last two years, Helton joined FC Porto.
Porto
It seemed that Helton was destined to spend a long time bench-warming, as Porto legend Vítor Baía barred his way into the first team. However, he got his chance sooner than expected when Dutch coach Co Adriaanse summarily dropped Baía after a mistake against C.F. Estrela da Amadora cost the team a goal and a 2–1 away loss on 15 January 2006.[5][6]
After initial criticism, Helton became first-choice courtesy of several solid performances. He won a domestic double (Primeira Liga and cup) in his first season at the club.[7][8][9]
Helton continued to be an undisputed starter for Porto in the following years, as they won four consecutive domestic championships. In 2008–09's Portuguese Cup, however, he stayed on the bench as Nuno Espírito Santo was the starter for the eventual winners.[10]
From 2009 to 2011, Helton totalled 77 games and his team claimed six titles. In October 2010, he was awarded Portuguese citizenship.[11]
Helton played 30 matches in the 2012–13 campaign, winning his seventh league. On 16 March 2014, however, the 35-year-old suffered an achilles tendon injury to his right leg during a 1–0 defeat at Sporting CP, being sidelined for several months.[14]
On 17 February 2014, Helton was condemned to pay a €60,000 fine for assaulting two stewards at the Estádio da Luz, following a tunnel brawl during the 1–0 loss against S.L. Benfica on 20 December 2009.[15][16][17] After returning to action, he played second-fiddle to both Fabiano and Iker Casillas.[18]
Helton terminated his contract on 12 October 2016 at the age of 38.[19] He announced his retirement the following year, but returned shortly after to play as a forward for the veteran side of amateurs SC Canidelo.[20]
Helton started his coaching career in January 2018, being appointed at Portuguese third division club S.C. Freamunde.[21] He briefly returned as a player in October 2020, rejoining União Leiria who now competed in the third tier.[22]
Helton received his first call-up to the full side in 2006, taking part in an unofficial exhibition game against Kuwait SC on 7 October.[25][26] His competitive debut came on 15 November that year when he started a friendly with Switzerland,[27] and he was also featured against England in June 2007, in what was the first international to be played at the new Wembley Stadium.[28]
Helton was a member of the squad who won the 2007 Copa América, but did not feature once in the tournament as he was second choice to AS Roma's Doni.[29][30]
↑ Malacó, Pedro (12 November 2017). "Helton virou avançado"[Helton turned forward]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 9 September 2025.
↑ Maia, Vítor (12 January 2018). "Helton é o novo treinador do Freamunde"[Helton is the new manager of Freamunde] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
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