In 1998, he was released, and returned to football, thanks to the intervention of São Caetano, a team which had signed him one year before being arrested, and loaned to União Barbarense, a satellite club.

After being tracked by Lazio for some time, in the summer of 2001 César joined the Italian Serie A team, becoming an important player for the Roman club.

In January 2006, after a long courtship, Inter Milan loaned César, giving him the opportunity to play in one of the leading teams of Italy.

[2] On 11 February 2007, he played his first Serie A match for Livorno against Inter[3] He started the 2007–08 season in good form with Internazionale linking up well with Maxwell down the left flank even managing to get a goal.

[5][6] In August 2011, César put an end to his playing career and accepted a coaching role at S.S. Lazio, being appointed in charge of the Giovanissimi Provinciali B youth team.