[1][2] Born in Rio de Janeiro, Valdir started at Campo Grande Atlético Clube, moving in the same year to Vasco da Gama.

There, he was an important part in the conquest of the 1992 to 1994 editions of the Campeonato Carioca, often partnering with Mário Jardel.

[3][4] In 1997, he passed through Portugal, scoring 5 goals in 13 appearances in the two and half months at Benfica,[5] before returning to Brazil and being the top scorer of the 1997 Copa CONMEBOL won by Atlético Mineiro, partnering with Marques.

[1] After that, he passed through Botafogo and Santos, without major success, before moving back to Atletico Mineiro in 2000.

He then returned to Vasco da Gama, spending two seasons there and winning another Campeonato Carioca in 2003.