Tostao was born on January 25, 1947 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Like the vast majority of Brazilian footballers, he was given a nickname early in his soccer career. His nickname was Tostao, the little coin.
He was a fairly intelligent player, who played for his country’s Cruzeiro, and formed a lethal partnership with Pelé, in which they ended up winning the 1970 Soccer World Cup. After the World Cup, he was transferred to Vasco da Gama.
Tostao suffered an injury to his face in 1969 when he was hit by the ball in a match against Corinthians. This injury was about to cause him not to play the 1970 Soccer World Cup.
In 1973 his eye was damaged again, and later in 1973 he decided to retire from football at the age of 26.
Tired of said sport and fame, he dedicated himself to being a doctor. In the ten years following his retirement he dedicated himself to work as a sports journalist and also in the national team.
With the Brazilian Soccer Team, he has been international during the 1966 Soccer World Cup, although his moment of glory was during the 1970s, when Brazil was crowned world champion, thanks to the excellent duo formed by Tostao and Pelé.
Clubs:
America Mineiro (1962-1963)
Cruzeiro (1964-1971)
Vasco da Gama (1972-1973)
Titles:
National Championships (all with Cruzeiro):
Minas Gerais State Championship (1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969)
Brazil Cup (1966)
International cups:
World Champion with Brazil (1970)