Career
Born in Matelândia, Zumbi played professional football for twelve years with União (Montana), Sport Club do Recife, Olária (RJ), Marília (SP), Paraná Clube and Rondonópolis Esporte Clube. As a youth, he played in Italian club University College Sampdoria"s youth system. In 2004, he led the Campeonato Mato-Grossense in scoring with 21 goals in 27 matches for Vila Aurora.
This led to a move to Primeira Liga side Marítimo at age 25, but after failing to settle, he returned to Vila Aurora in 2005.