Known for his accurate passing and precise set pieces,[3] Elano started his senior career at Santos, and spent six years in Europe in the service of Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester City and Galatasaray.

He made his senior debut for the latter on 21 January 2001, coming on as a substitute for Deivid in a 1–0 Campeonato Paulista home win against former club Guarani.

He soon gained a reputation as a talented goalscoring midfielder, scoring a career-best 22 goals as part of the Santos side which won the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2004.

Three years at Santos produced a total of 34 goals and earned the player a transfer to the Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk on 1 February 2005.

He added two more goals on eight days later in Manchester City's 3–1 win over Middlesbrough, one from open play about 25 yards out, and the other a curling free-kick from just outside the penalty area.

[citation needed] He continued his good form by scoring the only goal in a match against Birmingham City and converting a late penalty in the League Cup victory at Bolton Wanderers.

Towards the end of March and beginning of April 2008, Elano scored three penalties against Birmingham City (3–1 defeat) and Sunderland (2–1 victory), as well as against Bolton in the second round of the League Cup.

[citation needed] Elano proved himself to be highly versatile, playing in many positions for Manchester City throughout the 2007–08 season, including full-back in the 3–1 home win against Portsmouth.

He followed up with two goals in the 3–0 home win against West Ham, making him joint top scorer with Gabriel Agbonlahor at the end of matchday two of the Premier League.

He played a left-central midfield role in Mark Hughes' new look side, requiring him to act as a support between left-back Javier Garrido and forward Robinho.

He scored a goal from 25 yards out against Omonia on 2 October 2008 to help Manchester City qualify into the group stages of the UEFA Cup.

After mixed performances off the bench, he continued his 100% penalty record with a goal from the spot with one in the UEFA Cup quarter-final match with Hamburger SV on 16 April 2009, another three days later in the 4–2 win over West Bromwich Albion, and then again in a 3–1 victory over Blackburn Rovers on 2 May.

[13][14] He made his debut on 20 August 2009 in a UEFA Europa League play-off game against Estonian side Levadia Tallinn, coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute.

[26] He finished the season as the league's top scorer with eight goals,[27] but also spent time back in Brazil for recuperation following an injury suffered against Pune City.

[34] However, following the final, Elano was involved in controversy in which he was arrested by the Goan police for allegedly assaulting Goa co-owner Dattaraj Salgaocar.

In August 2016, it was revealed that when selling his stake in FC Goa, one of the conditions of Salgaocar was that Elano would not be able to return to the Indian Super League for at least two seasons.

On 24 November of that year, he announced his upcoming retirement from professional football after the expiration of his contract in December, becoming Dorival Júnior's assistant manager for the 2017 campaign.

[39] In 2007, Elano participated in the Copa América, playing four games for Brazil, including the final against Argentina, during which he assisted a goal before being substituted out due to injury.

Elano then set up the match-winning goal for Lúcio, completing a stunning second-half comeback in the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup against the United States, helping the Seleção win a third trophy in the competition.

Nilmar ran between two defenders to head a long pass from Elano past goalkeeper Ben Foster and score the winning goal in a 1–0 victory.

[45][46][47][48][49] After the 2015 Indian Super League final, Elano was arrested for allegedly physically assaulting the co-owner of FC Goa.

[62] Unable to avoid relegation from the 2023 Campeonato Paulista, he left the club on a mutual agreement on 8 June, after six winless matches in the 2023 Série D.[63] Santos Shakhtar Donetsk Flamengo Chennaiyin Brazil Individual