Helton is a Brazilian former professional footballer known for his role as a goalkeeper.
He began his professional career at CR Vasco da Gama, where he won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2000.
Helton moved to Portugal in 2002 to play for U.D. Leiria before joining FC Porto in 2005.
Biography
Early Life
Helton da Silva Arruda, known simply as Helton, was born in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began his football journey in the youth system of CR Vasco da Gama, where he quickly made a name for himself. His talent shone through as he helped the club secure the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and the Copa Mercosur in 2000.
Club Career
In 2002, Helton moved to Portugal to join U.D. Leiria, where he made his official debut in March 2003. After establishing himself as a first-choice goalkeeper, he signed with FC Porto in 2005. Initially, he faced tough competition from club legend Vítor Baía, but after Baía's performance faltered, Helton seized the opportunity to become the starting goalkeeper. He enjoyed a successful tenure at Porto, winning multiple domestic titles, including the Primeira Liga and Taça de Portugal, and contributing to the club's UEFA Europa League victory in 2011.
International Career
Helton's international career began with the Brazil national under-23 team, where he participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics. He made his senior debut in 2006 and was part of the squad that won the 2007 Copa América, although he did not play in the tournament. His appearances included a notable match against England at the new Wembley Stadium in 2007.
Legacy
Helton is remembered as a reliable goalkeeper who played a crucial role in his teams' successes. His honors include multiple league titles and individual accolades, such as being named Primeira Liga Goalkeeper of the Year twice. His contributions to Brazilian football and his club legacy at Porto solidify his status as a respected figure in the sport.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
After competing in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, Helton was a member of the Brazilian team at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He appeared in all four matches as the nation was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Cameroon. Helton received his first call-up to the full side in 2006, taking part in an unofficial exhibition game against Kuwait on 7 October. His competitive debut came on 15 November that year when he started a friendly with Switzerland, and he was also featured against England in June 2007, in what was the first international to be played at the new Wembley Stadium. 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 Roma's Doni.
Vasco
Born in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Helton emerged through 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 União de 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 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 Estrela da Amadora cost the team a goal and a 2–1 away loss on 15 January 2006.
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…
- Club
- FC Porto (2005–2016)
- Club
- U.D. Leiria (2002–2005)
- Club
- CR Vasco da Gama (1998–2002)
- Club
- Brazil national under-23 football team (2000–2000)
- Club
- Brazil men's national football team (2006–2007)
- Club
- U.D. Leiria (2020–2021)
- National team
- Brazil
Legacy
Vasco da Gama
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2000 Campeonato Carioca: 1998 Copa Mercosur: 2000 Taça Guanabara: 2000 Taça Rio: 2001 Porto
Primeira Liga: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13 Taça de Portugal: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 UEFA Europa League: 2010–11 Brazil
Copa América: 2007 Individual
Primeira Liga Goalkeeper of the Year: 2010–11, 2012–13
Clubs
Played together with
Abdoulaye BaFC Porto · 2010–2017- Abdullah Al-HafithU.D. Leiria · 2011–2012
Abel BragaBrazil men's national football team · 1978–1978- Abel BragaCR Vasco da Gama · 1976–1979
- Abel MigliettiFC Porto · 1970–1976
- Abubakar Bello-OsagieCR Vasco da Gama · 2008–2008
- Acácio Cordeiro BarretoBrazil men's national football team · 1986–1990
- Acácio Cordeiro BarretoCR Vasco da Gama · 1982–1991
- Acácio MesquitaFC Porto · 1930–1937
- Acúrsio CarreloFC Porto · 1955–1961
- Adaílson Pereira CoelhoCR Vasco da Gama · 2007–2008
- Ademar Miranda JúniorBrazil men's national football team
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Helton da Silva Arruda, known simply as Helton, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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