Career
He played as a midfielder for Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, Vila Nova Futebol Clube, and Sport Club do Recife. He received the Belfort Duarte Trophy ("fair play award") from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The award is given to the players who have never received a red card.
Almeida is credited for playing the "jogo bonito" (beautiful game) by the vast majority of the Brazilian press
He was known as one of the most elegant players of the game and is still popular amongst Cruzeiro"s fans mainly. He preferred to out-play his immediate opponent rather than knock him down.
He was in the squad that reached the finals of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (Brazilian championship) in 1974 and 1975 with Cruzeiro East.C.
Cruzeiro-MG (1967–1976)
Vila Nova Futebol Clube (1977)
Sport Recife (1978).
