A central midfielder with good heading ability in spite of a small frame, he played most of his professional career in Spain with Sevilla, appearing in 286 official games with the club (39 goals scored).

Renato scored his first goal for the Fish on 7 February 2001, netting the first in a 3–0 home win against CR Vasco da Gama for the Torneio Rio–São Paulo championship.

[4] Alongside compatriots Adriano and Daniel Alves, as well as several club youth graduates, he would play an essential part in the Andalusians' La Liga consolidation, making his competition debut on 29 August: after just one minute on the pitch, in the start of the second half of the home fixture against Albacete Balompié, he scored the game's only goal.

[13] He contributed with 33 games and four goals to Sevilla's fourth-place finish, with the subsequent qualification to the UEFA Champions League; at the end of the campaign he extended his link to the club for a further year, until June 2012.

[14] On 26 May 2011, Renato cut ties with Sevilla by mutual agreement and signed a three-year contract with Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas.

[15] He was a regular starter during his first two years at the club, forming a strong midfield unit alongside internationals Nicolás Lodeiro and Clarence Seedorf, but later served as a backup to Gabriel; he was also marred by injuries during the 2013 season.