Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
Manduca was born in Urussanga, Criciúma. After a brief spell with Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense he signed with Finnish club Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi in 1998 and, after only two matches, was loaned to Atlantis FC of the country's second division for the remainder of the season.