A hard-working defensive midfielder, Mineiro was only called into the Brazil squad after Edmilson suffered a knee injury during the pre-World Cup training camp. The 29-year-old has little experience of international football but is regarded as one of the best players in the Brazilian league. He was part of the Sao Caetano team that won the Campeonato Paulista in 2004 before moving to Sao Paulo and helping them to win the Copa Libertadores the following year. Mineiro also played a key role in Sao Paulo's 2005 FIFA Club World Championship triumph, scoring the winner against Liverpool in the final.