Having started professionally at Clube Atlético Mineiro, he moved to UD Almería on 24 July 2007, as the Andalusians had just achieved a first ever promotion to La Liga.

Initially the backup to another newly signed, David Cobeño, he eventually became the undisputed starter, helping the club overachieve for a final eighth place in the league with notable performances against, among others, Real Madrid.

Fully recovered for the start of the following campaign, he played in all the matches (safe for 30 minutes against Valencia CF, after he had been sent off, and the last round against Sevilla FC as Almería were already saved from relegation); in April 2010, his agent stated a move away from the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos was being considered.

[5][6] On 20 November 2010, Alves was in goal as Almería lost 8–0 at home to FC Barcelona, a defeat which cost manager Juan Manuel Lillo his post.

[10][11] Alves also appeared in the second Champions League group stage match, at home to Chelsea, where he had a series of superb saves, including a string of three in two minutes – two-point-blank against Ramires and Fernando Torres, and a third when Valencia man Víctor Ruiz accidentally diverted the ensuing corner towards his own goal – in an eventual 1–1 draw.

[13] In the last game of the season, that also marked his 100th league appearance for the club, away against former side Almería, he tore his cruciate ligament in the 72nd minute, later undergoing surgery and being sidelined until November.

[15][16] On 23 November 2017, in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana against Atlético Junior at the Maracanã Stadium, he suffered a broken collar bone after being hit by Yony González;[17] he underwent surgery two days later, being expected to return in two months.

[28] Alves was selected by coach Dunga for the 2015 Copa América in Chile, but withdrew due to a knee injury to be replaced by Neto.