[1] Born in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Marcos Paulo began his career at Fluminense, and had a release clause of €45 million at the age of 17.
Marcos Paulo made his professional debut on 30 January 2019 in the Campeonato Carioca, playing the last ten minutes of a 3–0 win over Madureira at the Maracanã Stadium, in place of Bruno Silva.
[7] On 5 July 2021, Marcos Paulo was announced by La Liga club Atlético Madrid, joining in a free transfer and signing a five-year contract.
[10] On 28 December, he returned to Brazil and joined Série A club São Paulo on loan until the end of the 2023 season.
On 29 August 2024, Marcos Paulo joined Belgian side RWD Molenbeek on a one-year loan deal with a buyout clause.