draw against Al Ain FC; his performance was described as "quiet" by The National, who attributed it to his unfamiliarity with the heat of the Middle Eastern summer. He totalled 39 appearances and three goals across his first season, helping the team conquer a domestic treble after adding the UAE Arabian Gulf League and the UAE League Cup. Viana agreed to a deal with Al-Wasl F.C. of the same city and league, but the transfer was one of several declared void by the UAE Football Association for missing the 3 October 2014 deadline. It was completed the following 19 January. He retired on 13 October 2016, aged 33. Director In May 2017, Viana was appointed director of football at Belenenses. He left his post six months later. Viana returned to Sporting in 2018, in the same capacity. In August 2021, he was suspended for 15 days and fined €2,295 for insulting the refereeing team after a game against F.C. Famalicão held four months earlier. International career Viana made his debut with Portugal on 14 November 2001, in a 5–1 friendly defeat of Angola. Replacing suspended Daniel Kenedy in the last minute, he was an unused member at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but missed UEFA Euro 2004 on home soil. Manager José Romão called him up for the under-23 team for the football tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece; he and João Paulo were sent off in a 4–2 group stage elimination by Costa Rica. Viana then returned to the senior side, and scored his only international goal on 12 October 2005 to conclude a 3–0 home win over Latvia in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification; he appeared in two matches – both as a substitute – as the team came fourth at the finals in Germany. He was called as a last-minute replacement for injured Carlos Martins to the Euro 2012 squad, with the team already in training camp; he was unused in a run to the semi-finals but ended a five-year international exile in a pre-tournament friendly against Macedonia. Style of play Viana was known for his range of passing and his control of the ball, as well as for taking powerful shots from distance, including from free kicks. Conversely, his ability to contribute equally to defence was criticised by pundits. His comparative lack of pace meant that he struggled when placed on the left wing