Bóvio was born in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro.
He began his career as a youth in Vasco da Gama in 1995 and stayed there until 2002 season.
Ricardo Souza was transferred to Russian side FC Chernomorets Novorossiysk but he could not adjust to the local climate and the following year returned to Brazil for Santos FC.
Bóvio's next career station was Málaga CF but the club board decided to loan him to Greek side Panathinaikos F.C.
[citation needed] In January 2008, he joined Corinthians Paulista.