Career
Over the course of 13 seasons he amassed Primeira Liga totals of 321 games and five goals, representing mainly (nine years). Born in Silves, Algarve, Bento first represented South.L., but would gain national recognition with Football Club: already relocated as a defensive midfielder he helped it to its only Primeira Liga championship in the 2000-2001 season, adding the 1997 domestic cup. After three years at Clube de Portugal, battling with namesake Paulo Bento for first-choice status, Bento retired from playing at the age of 32, and started coaching at lowly Académico de Viseu Football Club. In the 2008 summer he returned to with the club now in the second division, and the side eventually suffered a second consecutive relegation.
Bento was appointed at South Carolina (U.S.) Beira-March midway through 2010-2011 after taking the place of Leonardo Jardim, only winning twice in nine top division games until the end of the campaign (two draws and five losses) but still leading the Aveiro team away from the relegation zone.
He was relieved of his duties on 26 February 2012. Bento was capped six times for Portugal.
He also played Olympic football, helping the national side finish fourth at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and was a starter for the 1991 Fédération internationale de football association World Youth Championship winners, in a competition played on home soil. In July 2009, Bento was named the national side"s under-17 manager.
Club Country.