Career
An unsuccessful Sporting Clube de Portugal youth graduate, Xavier went on to represent, in his country, G.D. Estoril Praia, Académica de Coimbra, Chaplain to the Forces Estrela da Amadora, South Carolina (U.S.) Campomaiorense, F.C. Barreirense and Communicative Disorders Olivais e Moscavide. He played 15 seasons in the Portuguese top flight, amassing totals of 224 games and 48 goals. Aged 33, Xavier moved abroad, playing three years in China for South China Associate of Arts before retiring from professional football.
After the 1986 Fédération internationale de football association World Cup – almost the entire squad renounced the national team due to the Saltillo Affair – he gained four caps for Portugal.