Roberto Luís Gaspar de Deus SeveroOIH (born 3 May 1976), known as Beto (Portuguese pronunciation:[ˈbɛtu]), is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played mainly as a central defender.
He played most of his professional career with Sporting CP (ten seasons, 315 official games and five major titles),[1] but also had spells in France and Spain, which included spending three years with Recreativo de Huelva.
A product of Primeira Liga club Sporting CP, Lisbon-born Beto established himself in the first team in the 1996–97 season at the age of just 20, after two loans.[2] As a defensive force and captain he scored some important goals, including against FC Porto, but also two own goals in a single match against rivals S.L. Benfica, a 1–2 home loss.[3]
Beto won the national league twice, in 2000 and 2002, conquering the double the latter year.[4] During his ten-year spell at the Estádio José Alvalade, he managed to net at least once in every season.[5]
On 1 July 2007, Beto signed a three-year permanent deal with the Andalusia side.[9] After two solid first campaigns (netting twice in each, and partnering compatriots Carlos Martins and Silvestre Varela in 2007–08),[10][11][12][13][14] he only played three matches in his last due to recurrent physical problems,[15] as they eventually ranked last.
Retirement
After terminating his contract with Recreativo,[16] the 33-year-old Beto signed for one year with C.F. Os Belenenses, in August 2009.[17] As in latest years, his first season was blighted by constant injuries, and the capital side was also relegated.[18][19]
In late January 2011, aged almost 35, Beto returned to Spain and agreed to a short-term deal at UD Alzira in the Segunda División B. He reunited at the club with former Sporting teammate Luís Lourenço,[20] and both were released in June after the team's relegation, having appeared in a combined total of three games.
Beto returned to Sporting in August 2011, being appointed external public relations director.[21] He quit his post two years later.[22]