A former midfielder, he represented Brazil national team from 1998 until 2002, winning the 1999 Copa América and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

After a difficult first season, PSV released him on loan to Fluminense, before he returned to the Netherlands as regular of the team that won the first Dutch title in 5 years in 1997.

He scored in the 2000 Supercoppa Italiana but failed to hold down a first-team place however, he stated that he wanted to leave and went to Rio de Janeiro in December for a vacation.

[4] Another half of Vampeta was sold for €9.8 million,[2] In 2007, he returned to Corinthians, signed a contract until the end of season.

Vampeta made his international debut for Brazil in a friendly match against FR Yugoslavia on 23 September 1998.