After starting out at Vasco da Gama he went on to spend his professional career in Portugal, representing União de Leiria and Porto and winning 18 major titles for the latter club.

Born in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Helton emerged through CR Vasco da Gama's youth system.

It seemed that Helton was destined to spend a long time bench-warming, as Porto legend Vítor Baía barred his way into the first team.

[14] On 17 February 2014, Helton was condemned to pay a €60,000 fine for assaulting two stewards at the Estádio da Luz, following a tunnel brawl during the 0–1 away league loss against S.L.

[18] After terminating his contract on 12 October 2016 at the age of 38,[19] Helton announced his retirement the following year, but returned shortly after to play as a forward for the veteran side of amateurs SC Canidelo.

[23][24] His official debut came on 15 November of the same year when he started in a friendly with Switzerland,[25] and he was also featured against England in June 2007, in what was the first international to be played at the new Wembley Stadium.

[26] Helton was a member of the national squad who won the 2007 Copa América, but did not make one single appearance in the tournament as he was second choice to A.S. Roma's Doni.