Clube de Regatas Vasco da Gama are one of Brazil’s biggest sporting institutions. Founded on 21 August 1898, the club has enjoyed over a century of success. They have won the Brazilian Championship four times (1974, 1989, 1997 and 2000), as well as South America’s Copa Libertadores on one occasion (1998).

Clube Atlético Paranaense hail from the southern city of Coritiba. The club was founded on 21 March 1924 after a merger between Internacional Futebol Clube and América Futebol Clube do Paraná. Nicknamed ‘The Hurricane’, Atlético won their first and only national championship in 2001, and also finished runners-up in the 2005 Copa Libertadores. Atlético play their home games at the Kyocera Arena, which is considered one of the most modern stadiums in Latin America. Their training facilities are regarded as among the most advanced in Brazil.

Morais began his career working his way up the ranks of the various youth teams at Vasco da Gama, before eventually making his debut for the senior team in 2002. A year later he helped the club to glory in Rio’s State Championship. Morais remained at Vasco until January 2004 before moving to Atlético Paranaense, where he enjoyed a brief spell before returning to Vasco later that year, in time for the start of the Brazilian Championship. He has been at the club ever since.