In December 1997, Amaral moved back to Benfica on a permanent deal, as an election promise from João Vale e Azevedo. However, he appeared only sporadically, as Graeme Souness opted for Kandaurov in 1997–98, and then signed Michael Thomas in the following season. In July 1998, he was loaned to Corinthians for one year. There, he was part of the squad that won two consecutive league titles, in 1998 and 1999, as well another State Championship. A year later, he moved to Vasco da Gama on the same predicament. He continued to bag league titles, winning his fifth title in 2000, as well two other titles, the Torneio Rio – São Paulo and the Copa Mercosur.