Career
Born in Braga, Vital played all of his early career in the second division, mainly with G.D. Riopele. In 1977 he joined F.C. Porto, going on to be irregularly played by the top flight club during his two 1/2-season spell and winning two national championships, contributing with a career-best 21 games and five goals in the 1978-1979 edition After spending the 1981-1982 campaign with Boavista F.C. he moved back to the second level, where he remained until his retirement at the age of 33, mostly with F.C. Vizela.
Vital worked almost exclusively in the Portuguese lower leagues, his first stint being precisely with his last club Vizela.
In 1997-1998, his only season in the top division, he was one of four coaches for Sporting Clube de Portugal – having started as an assistant with the team – winning one match, drawing two and losing one as the Lions went on to finish in fourth position. In the second part of the 2000s Vital coached mainly in Vietnam, helping Đồng Tâm Long An F.C. return to the V-League in 2012.
During three seasons he also worked in directorial capacities with Ruivanense Atlético Clube, in the Braga second regional division.
