Born in the village of Barco, Brito started playing for local S.C. Covilhã, but soon attracted attention from S.L. Benfica, who signed him in 1985. He endured a difficult start at the latter, going on to serve a two-year loan at fellow Primeira Liga side Portimonense SC.[1]
Upon his return, Brito appeared mainly from the bench, barred by Swede Mats Magnusson. His biggest moment at Benfica arrived during the 1990–91 season, as he scored twice – as a substitute – to beat FC Porto away (2–0) and eventually clinch the national title, in a match that ended in a riot.[2]
Brito ended his ten-year link at the Estádio da Luz in summer 1995, having totalled only 23 league games in his last three seasons. After a good year at Lisbon neighbours C.F. Belenenses he moved to Spain, teaming up with a host of compatriots at UD Salamanca, including Pauleta.[1] In his debut campaign, already aged 32, he netted 15 goals in the Segunda División, helping the team to promote to La Liga while combining with Pauleta for 34 (the pair finished joint-first and fourth in the scoring charts).[3]
In1997–98, Brito featured regularly as Salamanca managed to stay in the top flight,[4] then joined modest CP Mérida in the second tier. He saw out his career at his first club, retiring at 35.[1]
^Pereira, Mário (19 October 2004). "Guarda Abel voltou no jogo da polémica" [Officer Abel back in game of controversy] (in Portuguese). Notícias de Corrupção. Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
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