Career
Born in Belo Horizonte, Aílton is a youth product of Atlético Mineiro, making his debut in 1987, and taking part in the conquest of three Campeonato Mineiro, in 1988, 1989 and 1991, and one Copa CONMEBOL. In 1993, Aílton joined Benfica, as the alternative for Adolfo Valencia after negotiations with the Colombian failed. He made his debut on a friendly against Football Club Barcelona on 18 August 1993, scoring the 2–1 in the 73rd minute. In his second season, Artur Jorge made several changes in the squad, with Aílton being loaned out to São Paulo until June 1995.
He returned to Portugal for a six-month spell in 1995, without much success, moving permanently to São Paulo in January 1996.
