Born in São Paulo, Simplício started his career with hometown’s São Paulo FC, going on to remain five years with the club and winning two State Leagues. In 2004, he moved to Italy and signed for Parma FC, after having been discovered by its director of football Arrigo Sacchi.

Simplício made his Serie A debut on 22 September 2004 in a 1–2 home loss against Bologna F.C. 1909, one day shy of his 25th birthday (16 minutes played), and finished his first season with four goals in 34 games, bettering that total to ten in the following campaign.

On 14 June 2006 Simplício joined fellow top division side U.S. Città di Palermo, moving alongside Parma teammate Mark Bresciano. He was priced at €7.1 million, with €4.6 million being to his previous team.

On 17 November 2009, aged 30, Simplício earned his first and only cap for Brazil, in a friendly match with Oman. He came on as a substitute for Felipe Melo in the second half of the 2–0 win.

During his four-year spell with the Sicilian club, Simplício appeared in more than 26 league matches, adding eight UEFA Cup appearances in two separate seasons combined (two goals). In January 2010, his agent Gilmar Rinaldi announced he would not extend his contract with Palermo, set to expire in June.

On 1 June 2010, Simplício moved to A.S. Roma on a three-year contract worth €1.8m per season, effective as of 1 July. He scored four league goals from 24 appearances in his debut campaign, adding the 2–1 winner against S.S. Lazio for the Coppa Italia as the capital side reached the semifinals.

On 27 July 2012, Simplício joined J1 League’s Cerezo Osaka. He made his official debut on 4 August against Consadole Sapporo, contributing to the 4–0 victory.