He played for Brazilian professional club Palmeiras since 1992 and was the first goalkeeper since 1999 after an injury of Velloso, the first-choice goalkeeper at the time. With outstanding performances in the Copa Libertadores 1999 he helped the team conquer the title, after beating Palmeiras' arch rivals Corinthians in the penalty shoot-outs in the quarter-final. Since then he was nicknamed São Marcos. In 2000 once again he faced Corinthians in the Libertadores, this time at the semi-final level, and again eliminated the rivals in the penalty shoot-out. In 2002 after a fantastic World Cup participation with Brazil's team he received a proposal from the English team Arsenal and actually went to London to sign but then disappeared leaving Arsenal and fellow Brazilian, Edu, wondering where h