He signed professional terms at the age of 16 in 1989 with Santa Cruz after impressing local scouts in a junior tournament. He joined Braziliam first division club Mogi-Mirim in 1991.
He signed for Corinthians in 1993 and made his international debut in December 1993, scoring the only goal in 1-0 victory over Mexico in a friendly international.
He signed for Palmeiras in 1994 and won the Brazilian league championship on the same year. He won Sao Paulo state championship with Palmeiras in 1996.
He moved to Spain in 1996 and joined Deportivo de la Coruña. He then transferred to Barcelona in August 1997.
Winning second Spanish league title with Barcelona in 1999, he won both FIFA and World Soccer magazines' world player of year awards. He was voted European Footballer of the Year by France Football magazine.
On June 2002, Barcelona decided to release Rivaldo from his contract a year before it is due to expire and he signed a three-year contract with Italian Serie A club A.C. Milan.
He has played over 60 games for the Brazilian national team and played in the winning side of the 2002 World Cup.