Rúben Rafael de Melo Silva Pinto (born 24 April 1992) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bulgarian club PFC CSKA Sofia.
Benfica
Born in Odivelas, Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Pinto joined S.L. Benfica's youth system in 2004, aged 12. He was promoted to the first team for the 2011–12 season, being limited to a sole bench appearance in that first year; in June 2011 he signed his first professional contract, running until 2015 with a €30 million clause.
Pinto made his professional debuts in the 2012–13 campaign, competing with the B-team in the Segunda Liga. He made his first appearance in the competition on 28 April 2013, starting and playing 73 minutes in the 1–1 home draw against F.C. Arouca.
Pinto scored his first goal as a professional on 26 August 2013, in a 3–0 home win over Portimonense SC. On 25 January of the following year, he was again an unused substitute for the main squad, in a game against Gil Vicente F.C. for the Taça da Liga.
On 7 January 2015, F.C. Paços de Ferreira signed Pinto on a loan deal until the end of the season. He scored his first goal in the Primeira Liga on 4 May, playing the full 90 minutes and helping to a 2–2 home draw against S.C. Braga.
Belenenses / CSKA
On 18 June 2015, Pinto joined C.F. Os Belenenses on a four-year contract. In the beginning of August 2016 he joined PFC CSKA Sofia on loan, with an option to make the move permament afterwards.
On 15 June 2017, the Bulgarian club activated the clause, and Pinto agreed to a three-year deal three days later.