 Leandro was capped 27 times for Brazil between September 1981 and May 1986, scoring two goals.He took part at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, where he was part of a star-studded Brazilian team, along with Zico, Júnior, Falcão, Sócrates, and many others, including Éder and Toninho Cerezo.Despite the plethora of creative midfield talent in the team, and the exciting brand of attacking football that they displayed throughout the tournament, Brazil were eliminated in the second round, after placing second in the so-called "Group of Death" with rivals and defending champions Argentina, as well as the eventual champions Italy.