A defensive midfielder with tremendous physical strength and leadership skills as his main assets,[1] he was widely regarded as the best footballer ever hailing from Cape Verde, and represented most notably Sporting CP, appearing in more than 400 official matches for the club over 11 seasons (two separate spells).

In 1991, he moved alongside compatriot and teammate Carlos Xavier to Spain's Real Sociedad, where the pair was equally influential, having been reunited with former Sporting boss John Toshack.

In early March 2011, he returned to his main club Sporting, joining newly appointed José Couceiro's coaching staff; exactly one year after, he moved in the same capacity to U.D.

[5] Oceano's tenure as head coach of Sporting first consisted of three away games and losses – against FC Porto in the league (2–0),[6] against Moreirense F.C.

Genk in the UEFA Europa League group stage (2–1)[8]– and his spell ended on 29 October 2012 with a 0–0 home draw with Académica de Coimbra in the national championship.

In late March 2014 he again reunited with Queiroz, joining his coaching staff at the Iranian national side prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament.