 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, and that he was a deserter of Italian Army.Leônidas injured himself in the game against Czechoslovakia and had to play again in the play-off against the Czechs, because Niginho couldn't substitute him.