[1] A former midfielder, he is remembered as the main force behind the birth of Benfica and one of the first great Portuguese football players.

[3] Damião was educated at the Real Casa Pia de Lisboa, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Damião started his player career on 19 February 1905 and debuted for the main squad at the age of 20 in a match against Lisbon Cricket Club.

On 26 February 1916, at the age of 30, he retired from playing football, but continued to coach Benfica until 1925–26, leading the team for 18 years, which is another club record.

He died in Vila de Sintra on 12 June 1947, after a long illness, and was buried in the Cemitério dos Prazeres, in Lisbon.