Vasco Born in
São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Helton emerged through
CR Vasco da Gama's youth system. He first attracted attention after winning the
Série A and the
Copa Mercosur with the club in 2000.
União de Leiria In 2002, Helton's contract with Vasco expired and he signed with Portuguese club
U.D. Leiria in January of the following year. He made his official debut on 9 March 2003 in a
3–1 home win against
Académica de Coimbra in the
Taça de Portugal, and backed up
Paulo Costinha in his
first season. 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. in the
2010–11 Europa League 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. 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. From
2009 to
2011, Helton totalled 77 games and his team claimed six titles. In October 2010, he was awarded
Portuguese citizenship. On 18 May 2011, Helton celebrated his 33rd birthday by keeping a
clean sheet in
the final of the
UEFA Europa League, a 1–0 victory over fellow Portuguese
S.C. Braga. Following the departure of
Lucho González to
Olympique de Marseille in summer 2009, he was also appointed
captain. 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. 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. After returning to action, he played second-fiddle to both
Fabiano and
Iker Casillas. Helton terminated his contract on 12 October 2016 at the age of 38. He announced his retirement the following year, but returned shortly after to play as a
forward for the veteran side of amateurs SC Canidelo. Helton started his coaching career in January 2018, being appointed at
Portuguese third division club
S.C. Freamunde. He briefly returned as a player in October 2020, rejoining União Leiria who now competed in the third tier. ==International career==