Hélio retired at almost 36, after helping Vitória to the 2005 Portuguese Cup in a 2–1 final win against S.L. Benfica,[1] having played 424 league games – club best – and scoring 20 goals. Internationally, he was part of Portugal's squad at the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship, which was won in Saudi Arabia;[2] in 1994, he earned one cap for the full side.