Bigode played eleven matches for the
Brazil national team between 1949 and 1953. In
1949, he won the
South American Championship. He was also part of the Brazilian team that finished as the
1950 FIFA World Cup's runners-up, after being defeated 2–1 by
Uruguay at
Estádio do Maracanã, in what is known as the
Maracanazo. In this game Bigode was in poor form, as
Alcides Ghiggia dribbled him in both Uruguayan goals. However, it was goalkeeper
Moacyr Barbosa who was blamed for the defeat. ==Death==