Born in Pedro Leopoldo, Minas Gerais, Marcos Paulo played with Venda Nova Futebol Clube and Associação Atlética Caldense in his country.
[2] During his two-and-a-half-year spell in France, Paulo was almost exclusively associated with the club's reserve team.
He made his league debut on 18 April 2009, playing 17 minutes in a game against Valenciennes FC (2–0 away win).
[3] Marcos Paulo spent the following seasons competing in Portugal's Primeira Liga, with U.D.
[5] On 29 July 2015, he signed a two-year contract with Super League Greece club Panetolikos F.C.