Joao Vieira Pinto

Joao Vieira Pinto put an end to his professional carreer by announcing his retirement today. He wore the Benfica jersey for 8 years until he was forced out of the club by Vale Azevedo and Jupp Heynkes. The latter part of those 8 years are considered by many to be the Benfica's darkest hour, but through it all, Joao Pinto always seemed to carry the team and prevent it from falling deep into the abyss.

Perhaps his most memorable moment was the game in which he scored a hat-trick against Sporting, the famous 6-3, in a game that gave Benfica the title that year. On a national team level, Joao Pinto was the flag bearer for the golden generation, the only Portuguese player to win 2 consecutive U-20 World Cups. Who can forget his diving header against England in Euro 2000. There were lows too, the time he punched Argentinean referee in the Korea WC. Five Lows like that could never overshadow Joao Pinto's career and what he gave Portuguese futebol and Benfica.
Thank You Joao Pinto, it was a pleasure.

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