Cafu made the first team of Sao Paulo in 1989. Cafu won the Copa Libertadores in 1992 and 1993. He was elected South American Footballer of the year in 1994.

In 1995 he signed on to Real Zaragoza in Spain. In 1996 Cafu went back to Brazil and played for Palmeiras for one season.

In 1997 Cafu signed on for AS Roma. In Roma he won the Scudetto in 2001. In 2003 he signed on for AC Milan and won a second Scudetto in 2004. In 2007 Cafu won Champions League with AC Milan. Cafu has a contract to AC Milan to June 2008.

Cafu made his first cap for Brazil in 1990. He has played over 156 games and scored 5 goals for the national team of Brazil. He has also won The FIFA World Cup twice both in 1994 and 2002. Cafu has also been the Brazilian team captain. Cafu has not played a cap for Brazil since 2006.