Sport Club do Recife
Born in Belo Horizonte, Leandro Tavares began playing professional football with Clube Atlético Mineiro. He was loaned to Esporte Clube Democrata and Sport Club do Recife before he signed with Coritiba Foot Ball Club in 2000. After his first season, Coritiba loaned him to Sport Club Internacional and Sociedade Esportiva Matonense.