He was a retired professional footballer who played as a midfielder during the 1960s and 1970s for Palmeiras, a leading association football team in Brazil, where he is still regarded as one of the club's all-time best players. Usually a playmaker, he was known for his fantastic close control and passing ability. He was nicknamed "O Divino", which means The Divine One, the same nickname given to his father, Domingos da Guia.
