Born in
Curitiba,
Paraná, Cuquinha finished his formation with hometown side
Coritiba. Cuquinha was invited to work with his brother in the end of 1999, becoming his assistant coach ever since. In November of that year, he was again named interim as Cuca tested positive for
COVID-19, but he himself also tested positive for the disease shortly after. Cuquinha continued to work as Cuca's assistant in the following years, at
Atlético Mineiro,
Corinthians,
Athletico Paranaense and back at Santos. ==Personal life==