In this Portuguese name, the second or paternal family name is Schwambach. "Neto" is a generational suffix meaning "grandson", which is used for someone whose name is the same as their father and grandfather, like "III" in English.
He began his football career in 1985 in his native town, and was discovered by Vasco's manager who proposed that he join the youth team for a test. In the same year he became the first choice goalkeeper for the youth side.
When Vasco's senior goalkeeper Acácio left the club, Carlos Germano became the number 1 immediately. He went to receive all of the club honours and was chosen top goalkeeper of the Brazilian Championship in 1997.
In 1999, he had some disagreements with Vasco's chairman and left the club. He signed with Santos in 2000 for four years, but one year later the club could not pay the total amount of the contract and he obtained the right to a free transfer, moving to Portuguesa. From then on, he signed one year contracts with different clubs, including his first club (Vasco), until he signed with FC Penafiel (Portuguese side at the time in the second division) in 2005.
