Carvalho started his career in his native state of Rio Grande do Sul at Sport Club Internacional before transferring to CSKA Moscow in early 2004, which at the time was coached by Artur Jorge, and where he would link up with fellow Brazilian compatriots Vágner Love, Dudu Cearense, and Jô, all of whom joined the team within his first two seasons at the club.

Carvalho scored the winning goal on his debut in the 2004 Russian Super Cup game, a 3–1 extra time victory against Spartak Moscow.

Carvalho's brilliant play during the 2005 UEFA Cup was the key to success of his team, who won the competition, defeating Sporting Lisbon in the Final.

Since then he has returned to CSKA and hopes to recapture the form which propelled the Russian club to UEFA Cup honours in 2005.

He also scored in the 4–0 win in an unofficial friendly match against Kuwaiti club Al Kuwait on 7 October 2006.