Sani was an experienced playmaking central midfielder with goalscoring prowess, and a "team player", who was well known for his ball skills, technique, accurate passing, creativity, and close control.

Although he was not gifted with notable pace or athleticism, his positioning, keen tactical intelligence, outstanding vision, and his adeptness at long balls, in particular, made him a capable assist provider throughout his career.

[1][2] The son of Italian immigrants, Gaetano Sani and Maria Gabrielli, Sani started his career at local club Palmeiras, XV de Jaú, Comercial-SP and São Paulo FC,[3] and played in the Argentine First Division for Boca Juniors[4] in 1961, where he played 13 games, scoring 4 goals.

[2][6] As a member of the Brazil national team, Dino Sani participated at the South American Championship tournaments of 1957 in Peru and 1959 in Argentina, reaching the final on both occasions; he was also part of the squad that won the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

He managed Internacional,[8] Goiás, Palmeiras, Coritiba, Peñarol,[9] Flamengo, Fluminense, Boca Juniors, Qatar and Grêmio.