Born in Serrania, Minas Gerais state, Elivélton started his professional career in 1990, when he joined São Paulo, after leaving his youth club Esportiva de Passos. Defending São Paulo, he won the Campeonato Paulista in 1991 and in 1992, the Série A in 1991, the Copa Libertadores in 1992 and in 1993, and the Intercontinental Cup in 1993. In 1994, he won the J1 League, being awarded as the best foreigner player in the league, while playing for Nagoya Grampus Eight. He then was transferred to Corinthians, and won that season's Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Paulista. Elivélton won the Campeonato Paulista again, in 1996, this time with Corinthians' biggest rival, Palmeiras. After joining Cruzeiro in 1997, he won the Copa Libertadores again, and also won the Campeonato Mineiro. In the subsequent years, he played for several clubs, Internacional, Ponte Preta, São Caetano, Bahia, Uberlândia, Vitória-ES, and União Rondonópolis. Elivélton won the Campeonato Capixaba in 2006, while defending Vitória-ES. He joined Francana in 2007, after spending some time training in his academy in Alfenas, Minas Gerais state.