[1] After failed trials at Fluminense and Cruzeiro, he joined the youth sides of CRB, and played in the 2014 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior for the club.
He started to feature more regularly in the following year, and scored his first goal in the top tier on 19 August 2018, in a 3–0 home win over Flamengo.
Back to Athletico, Zé Ivaldo was initially a fifth-choice behind Thiago Heleno, Felipe Aguilar, Lucas Halter and Edu; he still renewed his contract for a further year on 15 June 2020.
Back to Athletico, Zé Ivaldo was a regular starter in the 2023 Campeonato Paranaense, but after allegedly agreeing to a pre-contract with Cruzeiro in July,[13] he was separated from the first team squad in August.
[18] He made his club debut six days later, replacing João Basso in a 2–1 Campeonato Paulista home win over Mirassol.