Born in Bauru, São Paulo, Vágner played professionally in his country for Lousano Paulista, União São João, Santos, Vasco da Gama, São Paulo and Atlético Mineiro, having already represented four clubs in ten years.
In 1997, he had an unsuccessful spell in Italy for Roma, eventually settling in Spain with Celta de Vigo.
He played 23 games as the Galician team finished fourth in La Liga in 2003, but was relegated in the following year.
[1] After his move to Atlético Mineiro, Vágner retired from football at the age of 32.
Vágner represented Brazil at the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup; his sole cap came as he played the first 45 minutes of the group stage win against Cameroon (2–0), in an eventual fourth-place finish.