Born in Arrozal, Rio de Janeiro, Pedro Paulo began his career at Cruzeiro and, on 6 November 2014, was loaned to fellow Série A team Athletico Paranaense.

[2] He was first included in a matchday squad on 2 November 2014, remaining an unused substitute in their 1–0 home win over Atlético Mineiro in Série A.

Three weeks later he made his professional debut, as an added-time replacement for Marcelo Cirino at the end of a 2–1 win at Bahia.

On 13 July 2015, he was loaned out again, to Portugal's Rio Ave, for the upcoming Primeira Liga campaign.

[3] Paulo was part of the Brazil U17 squad which won the 2011 South American U-17 Championship, playing eight games and scoring twice in a 4–3 win over Venezuela in the opener on 13 March.