Born in
Itabirito, Brazil, Reinaldo plays as a striker and started his professional football career at Brazilian club
América Mineiro in 2004, where he became a key player and the club's leading goal scorer. Later that season he trialed with Dutch club
Feyenoord for two months until he was signed by
Corinthians Alagoano. In his first year for
Corinthians, Reinaldo scored 18 goals and helped them advance to the second stage of the league. While in Australia,
A-League side
Queensland Roar had been struggling for goals all season and opted to buy a player on a loan rather than a transfer as the window was closed. Even with exciting goal scoring product
Alex Brosque, Queensland lacked something in front of goal.
Brisbane Roar Searching for a striker who could save Queensland's season by scoring goals on a regular basis, their scouts were recommended Reinaldo and after watching several DVDs of the striker, Roar signed him for a six-game loan. Reinaldo scored two goals and was impressive in all six matches on his short-term loan for
Queensland, but it was all too late for the Roar who missed out on the finals. During the off-season of the
A-league, Queensland lost Golden Boot winner
Alex Brosque who transferred to
2005–06 champions
Sydney FC and although Brosque won the inaugural Golden Boot Award, his inconsistency lead to the club accepting his departure. Queensland rewarded Reinaldo with a two-year contract, after negotiations with Corinthians. In the
2006–07 season, Reinaldo was a valuable member of the squad but admitted at the end of the season he thought his season was a failure after scoring only 4 goals in 18 matches. They just missed out on the finals that year in heartbreaking circumstances.
2007–08 season Before the start of the
2007–08 season, Reinaldo stated that this was to be his "do-or-die" season and he was ready for a big year. Unable to score goals at the start of the season, Reinaldo was low on confidence and was criticised by the media and Roar fans. However, in round 11 against
Adelaide United, Reinaldo broke his drought and scored after belting home a powerful volley from just inside the box. He then scored a further two goals against
Wellington Phoenix, including a back heel from a low cross from
Matt McKay. He scored another seven goals helping the Roar onto its maiden A-League Finals campaign. After an indifferent season for Reinaldo which included the club's Golden Boot Award with nine goals, he then went into the
A-League and
Brisbane Roar history books when he scored what is said to be one of the greatest goals in the
A-League's history. He received a
Craig Moore cross on the half-way line and dribbled the ball at pace down the left flank, beating
Sydney defender
Mark Milligan with a neat turn and slotting the ball into the top right hand corner of the net from an acute angle. The amazing finish helped the Roar advance to the preliminary final.
Departure and return Reinaldo was sold to Korean
K-League side
Busan I'Park following the end of the
2007/08 A-League Season, due to his desire to develop his football in Asia. A fee was agreed between
Busan I'Park and
QLD Roar and Reinaldo agreed a two-year contract with the Korean Club. However, for personal reasons, Reinaldo left
Busan I'Park on a mutual termination agreement and returned to
Queensland Roar for the
2008/09 A-League Season. He signed a 3-year contract with the club and was unveiled again on 31 July 2008. He played his 50th game for the Roar in the 4–2 loss against the
Central Coast Mariners in Round 3 at
Suncorp Stadium in the
2008–09 season. He last played in Round 9 that season and missed the rest of the season due to a severe bout of
osteitis pubis. In September 2010 Reinaldo became an
Australian citizen.
Arab clubs It was reported that Reinaldo would leave the Roar and go play in
Qatar for
Al-Wakra on a two-year deal worth almost $2 million. He made 10 appearances, scoring 6 goals before moving to Saudi Arabia with
Al-Raed.
China During the 2012 January transfer window, it was announced that
Chinese Super League club
Beijing Guoan had bought the striker from Saudi Club
Al-Raed for a reported
$2 million over two years. In January 2013, it was reported that Reinaldo was loaned to
China League One side
Chengdu Blades for one year. However, he eventually stayed in Beijing for the 2013 season.
Brazil Reinaldo was signed to
Campeonato Brasileiro Série D side
Operário Ferroviário Esporte Clube on 8 March 2013. ==Playing style==