Before he began his beach soccer career, Xavier originally played
association football as a
goalkeeper. Xavier asked to train with the
Brazil national beach soccer team and when fellow international goalkeeper
Mão saw his talent, he invited Xavier to train with him. Xavier was subsequently called up to the beach soccer national team, but the competition for the spot of first team goalkeeper was intense. Xavier was considered the team's third goalkeeper and did not get an opportunity to play. Brazil's then manager, Duda, believed he was good with the ball at his feet and had potential to be a good outfield player, but he would have to train as such for a year before he could play in the national team. After impressing in the 2010 and 2011 Italian Serie A seasons, winning the best player of the year in both, he was subsequently included in Brazil's provisional squad for the
2011 World Cup. However, then coach Alexandre Soares did not pick him for the final 12-man group, an extreme disappointment for Xavier. His dream of playing at the World Cup was ultimately fulfilled by Brazil's successor coach,
Júnior Negão, who included Xavier (now aged 29) in his final squad for the
2013 World Cup also giving him the number 8 shirt, previously worn by Negão himself. . In May 2014, Xavier scored a goal against
Germany in a
BSWW Tour event in Mexico, considered to be one of the greatest beach soccer goals ever, with calls for a
FIFA Puskas Award nomination. At the inaugural
Beach Soccer Stars awards in November 2014, Xavier was crowned the world's best player as voted for by fellow players and managers confirming his status as world beach soccer icon and not just to Brazil. He has subsequently been in the top three nominees for the best player award in 2015, 2017 and 2018; he was voted as part of the team of the year every year since the awards began until 2018, the only player to be so. Under a new coach (Gilberto Costa) and as captain, Xavier went on to lead Brazil to their first World Cup title in eight years
in 2017. In the September, Xavier earned his 100th cap for Brazil; Xavier scored his 200th goal for Brazil in a 10–1 win over Uruguay at the
South American World Cup qualifiers in May 2019. In a huge surprise, Xavier was left out of Brazil's squad for the
2021 World Cup in Moscow. In an Instagram video, Xavier shied away from stating exactly why he had been left out of the team, but nevertheless did mention being unable to attend the
World Cup qualifiers due to playing in Europe at the time, and the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic on travel, and the introduction of younger players to the squad. As is typical for top beach soccer players, Xavier has played for many club sides in numerous countries. They include
Vasco da Gama,
Corinthians, Espírito Santo FC and Sampaio Corrêa domestically as well as Catanzaro (Italy), Terracina (Italy), Strogino (Russia),
Kristall (Russia), Alanyaspor (Turkey),
Barcelona (Spain),
Sporting CP (Portugal),
Braga (Portugal),
Kfar Qassem (Israel) in European leagues and international competitions. After his exclusion from the Brazil national team in 2021, he continued his trade for clubs both nationally and internationally, including winning the best player award of the 2022 Italian Serie A season representing Pisa. Soon after in November, he was called back up to the
Seleção for the first time in nearly four years, aged 39, for the
2023 South American Beach Soccer League. Xavier remained a key veteran presence for Brazil, contributing in major tournaments including the
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 in Dubai, where he played all six matches (scoring 2 goals) as Brazil won their sixth World Cup. He has continued club commitments into his 40s, including with Falfala Kfar Qassem (2023/2024) and Pafos FC (2024/2025), while featuring in events like the Euro Winners Cup and maintaining his ambassadorial role in the sport. As of 2026, now aged 41, Xavier is still active and regarded as a legendary figure in beach soccer, with over 200 caps and goals for Brazil, and occasional call-ups or involvement with the national setup under coaches like Chicão Castelo Branco. In a notable development, Xavier was not included in Brazil's squad for the
2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Seychelles, marking his first absence from the tournament since 2011; the decision came amid a squad refresh despite his contributions to the 2024 triumph. He continues to compete at club level, associated with sides such as Rosh Haayin BSC in Euro Winners Cup competitions and maintaining his status as a forward/pivot in profiles for ongoing seasons. ==Personal life==