left knee in the first leg of 2016 J.League Cup quarter-finals against Avispa Fukuoka. Although he was evaluated to return field in two months, he didn't play for FC Tokyo for the rest of the season. Muriqui signed an intent contract with FC Tokyo in December 2016 after he terminated his contract with Al Sadd in advance. However, he was recruited by his former club Vasco da Gama in January 2017. FC Tokyo officially announced Muriqui's leave on 6 January 2017. Vasco da Gama Muriqui signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Vasco da Gama in January 2017. Failing to establish himself within the team, he terminated his contract with the club by mutual consent in July 2017. Return to Guangzhou On 12 July 2017, Muriqui returned to Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao on a free transfer, signing a half-year contract. He made his return debut on 19 July 2017 in a 4–2 defeat against city rivals Guangzhou R&F at Yuexiushan Stadium in the first leg of 2017 Chinese FA Cup fifth round, coming on as a substitute for Zhang Wenzhao in the 57th minute. He assisted Alan Carvalho's goal in the 85th minute. He scored two goals in the second leg on 1 August 2017, which ensured Guangzhou Evergrande's 7–2 home win and advance to the semi-final. On 10 August 2017, Muriqui made his return league debut in a 3–0 away win against Liaoning FC. Muriqui was named in Guangzhou's squad for the 2017 AFC Champions League on 15 August 2017 after Paulinho's leave for FC Barcelona. On 19 August 2017, he scored twice in a 3–0 away win over Shanghai Greenland Shenhua in the Chinese Super League. Muriqui scored four goals in eight league appearances and won his fourth Chinese Super League title in the 2017 season. On 9 November 2017, Muriqui suggested that he would not extent his contract with Guangzhou. Meizhou Meixian Techand On 16 January 2018, Muriqui joined China League One newcomer Meizhou Meixian Techand. On 10 March 2018, he made his debut in the season's opener against Yanbian Funde and was substituted off in the 44th minute due to injury. He scored his first goal in his 4th appearance on 14 April 2018 in a 3–2 away defeat to Shanghai Shenxin. On 22 April 2018, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–2 home win over Zhejiang Yiteng. Muriqui continued his promising performance in the following matches, scoring eight