Career
He came to international prominence at the 1950 World Cup, where he scored two goals. He was lauded as a complete player, renowned for his incredible array of offensive skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting with both feet as well as dead ball ability and extraordinary vision. Born at Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, he played for Flamengo, Bangu, São Paulo Football Club, Audax Italiano of Chile among others teams.
In the 1950 World Cup he helped Brazil to progress to the final, but their surprise 2-1 defeat to Uruguay tarnished his reputation.
Zizinho played a total of 53 times for his national team, scoring 30 goals. He turned down last minute invitations by the CBF to join first the 1954 world cup squad and then the 1958 squad, citing on both occasions that it would be unfair on the player being dropped at the last minute to make way for him.
"He was a complete player. He played in midfield, in attack, he scored goals, he could mark, head and cross." Club International Individual.