[1] In 1986 he joined Vasco da Gama, and went on to feature sparingly for the club during his three-year spell, split by loans to América-SP, Bragantino, Juventus-SP and Primeira Liga side S.C. Farense.
Claudinho subsequently represented Vitória, Caxias, Figueirense, Košice and ABC before moving to Arabic football.
Shortly after retiring, Prates began his career with former club Vitória, being an assistant of the youth setup.
Prates subsequently followed Givanildo at Brasiliense, Paysandu, Vila Nova, Mogi Mirim, América Mineiro, Sport, Santa Cruz, Ponte Preta and Remo before parting ways in 2011 to become Joinville's assistant.
[3] In April 2018, he joined Bahia;[4] initially an assistant, he was appointed interim manager after the dismissal of Guto Ferreira.