Helton (footballer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Helton

Helton with Porto in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Helton da Silva Arruda
Date of birth	(1978-05-18) 18 May 1978 (age 47)
Place of birth	São Gonçalo, Brazil
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1993–1994	São Cristóvão
1995–1998	Vasco da Gama
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1999–2002	Vasco da Gama	52	(0)
2003–2005	União Leiria	67	(0)
2005–2016	Porto	232	(0)
2020–2021	União Leiria	5	(0)
Total		356	(0)
International career
2000	Brazil U23	6	(0)
2006–2007	Brazil	3	(0)
Managerial career
2018	Freamunde
Medal record Men's football Representing  Brazil Copa América Winner 2007 Venezuela
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Helton da Silva Arruda, known simply as Helton, is a Brazilian former footballer. He played as a goalkeeper. Helton started his career at Vasco da Gama in Brazil. He then spent most of his professional career in Portugal. There, he played for União de Leiria and Porto. He won 18 major titles with Porto. Helton played in 299 Primeira Liga games over 14 seasons. He also played for the Brazilian national team in the 2007 Copa América.

Helton's Club Journey

Starting at Vasco

Helton was born in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He grew up playing football in the youth system of CR Vasco da Gama. He first became well-known in 2000. That year, he helped his club win the Série A and the Copa Mercosur titles.

Moving to União de Leiria

In 2002, Helton's contract with Vasco ended. In January 2003, he signed with a Portuguese club, U.D. Leiria. His first official game was on March 9, 2003. It was a 3–1 home win against Académica de Coimbra in the Taça de Portugal cup. In his first season, he was a backup goalkeeper.

Helton became the main goalkeeper for União de Leiria in his last two years there. After the 2004–05 season, he signed with FC Porto.

Years of Success at Porto

When Helton joined Porto, it seemed he might spend a long time on the bench. This was because Vítor Baía, a famous Porto goalkeeper, was the main starter. But Helton got his chance sooner than expected. On January 15, 2006, the coach decided to replace Baía after a mistake.

Helton playing for Porto against Rapid Wien in 2010

Helton quickly became the number one goalkeeper. He played very well in many games. In his first season at Porto, he helped the club win two big titles: the Primeira Liga (the main league) and the domestic cup.

Helton continued to be the main goalkeeper for Porto for many years. Porto won the league championship four times in a row. In the 2008–09 Portuguese Cup, he was on the bench. Another goalkeeper, Nuno Espírito Santo, played in the games Porto won.

Helton was again the main goalkeeper for the next two seasons. He played in 49 league games and helped his team win six more major titles. On May 18, 2011, he celebrated his 33rd birthday. On that day, he kept a clean sheet (meaning the other team didn't score) in the UEFA Europa League final. Porto won 1–0 against S.C. Braga. After another player left in 2009, Helton also became the team captain. He became a Portuguese citizen in 2010 because he had played for the club for so long.

Helton played 30 league matches in the 2012–13 season. This helped Porto win their seventh league title with him. However, on March 16, 2014, Helton, who was 35, got a serious injury to his right leg. He was out of action for several months.

After he recovered, Helton was no longer the main goalkeeper. Other players like Fabiano and Iker Casillas took his place.

Helton ended his contract with Porto on October 12, 2016, when he was 38. He announced his retirement the next year. However, he soon returned to play as a forward for an amateur team's veteran side. In January 2018, he started his coaching career. He became a coach for S.C. Freamunde, a club in the Portuguese third division.

Helton returned to playing football in October 2020. He rejoined União Leiria, which was then playing in the third division.

Helton's International Career

Helton played for the Brazilian team at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He played in all four matches. Brazil was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Cameroon.

Helton was first called up to the senior national team in October 2006. His official debut was on November 15, 2006, in a friendly game against Switzerland. He also played against England in June 2007. This was the first international game played at the new Wembley Stadium.

Helton was part of the national team that won the 2007 Copa América. However, he did not play in any games during the tournament. He was the second-choice goalkeeper behind A.S. Roma's Doni.

Career Statistics

Helton played many games throughout his career. Here is a summary of his appearances for different clubs and for his country.

International Appearances

Helton's Trophies and Awards

Helton won many important titles during his career.

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 Awards

• Primeira Liga Goalkeeper of the Year: 2010–11, 2012–13

See also

In Spanish: Hélton para niños