Career
In the 2002 summer França signed with Bayer 04 Leverkusen from Germany, as the team sought replacements for aging Ulf Kirsten (37). In his debut season in the Bundesliga he appeared scarcely, barred by Dimitar Berbatov and Oliver Neuville, netting only once, in his league debut, a 2–4 home loss against VfL Bochum. In 2003-2004, although the pair remained at the club, he received much more playing time, and finished just two goals short of the Bulgarian (14 to 16, in as many matches), adding to this a league-best 13 assists.
Additionally, Neuville left in the following summer.
França moved to Japan subsequently, joining Kashiwa Reysol, experiencing one relegation and one promotion in his first two years and leaving the club in 2010, aged 34. França collected eight caps for Brazil during two years, but was never summoned to any major tournament.