Born in Brazil, Senna represented the Spain national team during a four-year spell, appearing at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008, and winning the latter tournament as starter.

[4][5] However, the deal was put on hold while United pursued Owen Hargreaves, but FC Bayern Munich refused to sell their player and, when United returned with a bid for Senna on transfer deadline day, Villarreal rejected their advances;[6] he had become frustrated with the delays to his proposed move and decided to stay at Villarreal, signing a three-year extension shortly after the transfer window closed.

On 21 March 2012, he scored from a free kick for the 83rd-minute home equaliser against Real Madrid (1–1),[14] but his team would be eventually relegated after a twelve-year stay in the top level.

On 13 June 2013, after helping Villarreal return to the top flight, Senna signed with newly formed North American Soccer League club New York Cosmos for an undisclosed fee.

[15] He made his debut in the team's inaugural match on 3 August, a 2–1 win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers,[16] and scored his first goal on 1 September in a 1–1 draw at FC Edmonton.

[18] On 13 November 2013, Senna was awarded a testimonial match by Villarreal, featuring in a 3–0 win over the Cosmos: he started the game and set up Jérémy Perbet for the first goal.

[31] On 20 May 2010, after an irregular season with Villarreal, with several physical problems, the 33-year-old was left out of Spain's final 23-man squad, with FC Barcelona's Sergio Busquets starting in his place as the national team went on to win the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

[37][38] In 2008, Glenn Moore of The Belfast Telegraph noted that Senna was known for his "passing, disciplined positioning, tackling and long-range shooting," praising the midfielder for his "genial personality and commanding performances."

[26][39][40] Pundits and Senna's international teammates observed that he provided "balance" to Spain's midfield at Euro 2008, by doing the "dirty work," namely helping his team to win back the ball and control possession of the midfield through his work-rate, passing, and ability to occupy space, despite his diminutive stature and lack of physicality; his qualitites complemented Spain's tiki-taka passing-based playing style under manager Luis Aragonés.