 Sandro was born in Pinhal Novo, Setúbal District, Portugal.He started his career at Vitória de Setúbal and made his Primeira Liga debut in 1995, but moved to Hércules CF in the Spanish Segunda División aged 19 in 1997.In January 1999, Sandro joined La Liga club Villarreal CF on loan, but made just two appearances in a six-month spell in a season that ended in relegation.