Born in Itambacuri, Minas Gerais, Paulão started at Cruzeiro where he made his breakthrough, winning two Campeonato Mineiro in 1990 and 1992. He played alongside Adílson Batista, Paulo Roberto, Ademir and Ramon Menezes. Due to his performances at Cruzeiro, he received a call-up for the national team by Paulo Roberto Falcão in 1990. He made his debut on 12 September 1990 against Spain and his last on 16 December 1992, against Germany, counting eight caps during those two years; he still was part of the squad for the 1993 Copa América, but did not play.