Born in Lavras, Minas Gerais, Alemão started his career playing for a Minas Gerais' club called Fabril in 1980. In 1981, he moved to Botafogo, of Rio de Janeiro, where he stayed until 1987, winning the Bola de Prata award of Placar Magazine in 1985. In 1987, and in 1988, he played for Atlético Madrid, of Spain, scoring six goals in 35 games, and won the EFE Trophy as best South American player and the La Liga Foreign Player of the Year in 1988. Between 1988, and 1992, he played 93 games and scored nine goals for Napoli of Italy, playing alongside star offensive players like Diego Maradona and Careca as a defensive foil. With Napoli, he won the UEFA Cup in 1989, scoring a goal in the final, followed by the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana in 1990. In 1992, he signed with Atalanta of Italy, scoring two goals in 40 games, until he left the club in 1994. In 1994, he returned to Brazil, playing 77 games and scoring two goals for São Paulo, winning two international titles with the club in 1994, the Copa CONMEBOL, and the Recopa Sudamericana; he remained with the club until 1996, when he moved to Volta Redonda and retired from football.