In 2012, after one and a half year of interest and negotiations, Pipico made a move to Vasco da Gama to play Brazilian Série A, but wasn't very successful.

He moved for first time to a foreign team, more precisely to play Major League Soccer for FC Dallas, but weeks later he returned to Brazil, signing with melhorAtlético Goianiense.

"[1] Pipico made his debut for Vasco da Gama on 8 July in a 1-1 draw against Figueirense, entering in the second half subbed Alecsandro.

On 1 September, in a 2-0 win over Portuguesa, Pipico receives his first red card of his career, after applying a possible dangerous sliding tackle in Gustavo.

Two months before signing for Vasco da Gama, players such as Juninho Pernambucano and Fellipe Bastos asked the striker about a transfer, saying that "it was time for (Pipico) goes to a big club.