Beto life and biography

António Alberto Bastos Pimparel, aka Beto (born 1 May 1982 in Lisbon), is a Portuguese footballer currently playing for F.C. Porto in the Portuguese first division, as a goalkeeper.

Beto's career has taken off in the last 12 months, with his achievement in establishing himself as FC Porto's No.1 stopper helping to propel him up the pecking order at international level to secure one of the final spots in Carlos Queiroz's World Cup squad.

He started his career at Sporting Lisbon, but the big-time seemed to pass him by as he failed to make the grade at his starter club and then slipped off the radar as he played some the lesser lights of the game. All that before FC Porto came calling last summer and he finished the season as their first pick.

"Beto has enjoyed a fine season at club level and he deserves his chance in this squad," is the view of Portugal boss Queiroz. "There were other options in the goal keeping area, but I felt his performances with FC Porto this season were enough for him to get one of the extra spaces in our squad. You want your players performing for their club to be ready for international football."
After unsuccessfully developing in the Sporting Clube de Portugal (he only played one season with the first team, being third-choice), Beto played one season on loan to neighbours Casa Pia AC, being released in June 2004.

After one season each with G.D. Chaves and F.C. Marco (second level), Beto joined Leixões Sport Club for 2006–07, helping the Matosinhos outfit return to the top flight, and only missing six games in his three seasons combined.

On March 2009, before 2008–09 ended, Beto agreed to a move to league powerhouse F.C. Porto, in a four-year deal worth €750.000, effective as of June.

Beto made his debut for Portugal on June 10, 2009, in a 0–0 friendly match in Estonia.

After finishing 2009–10 in Porto's starting XI, he was named by manager Carlos Queiroz in a provisional 24-player list for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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