His Italian-origins family was a supporter of
Cruzeiro, than known as "Palestra Itália". Fantoni started his career in that club, playing with his brother
João Fantoni (
Ninão) and their cousin
Otávio Fantoni (
Nininho). In 1931, they were sold to
Lazio, where they would be known by their surnames, like a dynasty: Ninão was Fantoni I, Nininho was Fantoni II and him, Fantoni III. They played with another Italian-Brazilian player,
Anfilogino Guarisi, in a Lazio squad known as "Brasilazio". Before moving to Italy, Niginho conquested the
Minas Gerais State Championship in 1928, 1929 and 1930. That year was particularly difficult to him: his cousin Fantoni II died of generalized infection from a broken nose. Without formal authorization of Lazio, Niginho transferred to
Palmeiras, than also known as Palestra Itália. Playing there from March to May, he scored six goals in six games and conquered the
São Paulo State Championship. After that, he played in
Vasco da Gama in 1937. In that club, he received his first call to
Brazil national football team. He was called to
1938 FIFA World Cup as a
Leônidas da Silva stand-by player. Unfortunately, the Italians warned
FIFA that Niginho was in irregular situation, needing an authorization of Lazio to play, Niginho died by a heart attack in 1975, when he was visiting Cruzeiro. He was one of the top goalscorers in the club's history, scoring 207 goals in 272 appearances, and the biggest idol in the pre-
Mineirão years. ==References==