[2] Bigode started his career playing for Atlético Mineiro, of his home city Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state.

[2] He then moved to Fluminense of Rio de Janeiro in 1943, where he won the Campeonato Carioca in 1946.

[2] He was also part of the Brazilian team that finished as the 1950 FIFA World Cup's runners-up, after being defeated 2–1 by Uruguay at Estádio do Maracanã, in what is known as the Maracanazo.

[2] In this game Bigode was in poor form, as Alcides Ghiggia dribbled him in both Uruguayan goals.

Bigode died in Belo Horizonte on 31 July 2003 after suffering from respiratory problems.