Born in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Barbosa won the silver medal at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo.

Earlier in his career, Barbosa had won a bronze medal at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics in Rome, and finished sixth in the 800m final at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

At the 1993 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Toronto he entered the 800m final as a favourite but dropped out after colliding with Nico Motchebon.

Barbosa was head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach at Granite Hills High School in El Cajon for 5 1/2 years.

Barbosa was also the Men's Cross Country and Track and Field coach for Mesa College in San Diego.