Doriva began his career at the youth of São Paulo, and after spending 1992 at Goiás teams Anapolina and Goiânia, was promoted to the main team under coach Telê Santana in 1993. That same year he won both the Libertadores da América and the Intercontinental Cup. In 1995, he was transferred to XV de Piracicaba after having his rights purchased by then-owner Rolim Amaro, founder of TAM Airlines. Doriva came to Atlético Mineiro in 1995, as the team had just gotten a sponsorship deal with TAM. There Doriva had what he considered crucial years in his formation as a player, leading to a $4 million sale to FC Porto.
Doriva's career in Porto had three Primeira Liga titles before he opted to transfer to Italy's U.C. Sampdoria, in an $8 million four-year contract. In 2000, he went to Spain, playing for Celta Vigo.
Middlesbrough
Doriva was signed by Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren in January 2003, on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut on 5 April 2003 in a 3–0 home win over West Bromwich Albion. After five appearances for the club, Doriva was given a one-year contract with Middlesbrough on 21 July 2003. In his first full season at the club, Doriva was first choice in midfield alongside George Boateng. He found his chances limited after this, however, due to the emergence of Stewart Downing and the conversion of Boudewijn Zenden to central midfield. On 11 February 2004, in a 3–2 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, Doriva was pushed by Paul Scholes, who in April was given a three-match ban for the incident. On 29 February he started as Middlesbrough won their first major trophy, the 2004 Football League Cup Final, with a 2–1 win over Bolton Wanderers in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. His only goal for Middlesbrough came in a 2–1 victory at Notts County in the third round of the FA Cup on 8 January 2005. In 2005, he earned a one-year contract extension, which Middlesbrough allowed to expire in July 2006.
América-SP
Following his release from Middlesbrough, he then signed for América-SP in Brazil, where he had a heart problem detected. Doriva's father and grandfather both died from heart conditions, and therefore he decided to retire from playing. Subsequent tests showed that the diagnosis was inaccurate and he could have continued playing, although he remained retired.
Managerial career
After retiring in 2009, Doriva was hired by Ituano's president and former teammate Juninho Paulista; initially a manager of the youth categories, he subsequently became an assistant manager and, in 2014, was appointed as coach. He led Ituano to a Cinderella run on the Campeonato Paulista, winning the title on penalty kicks over Santos. Doriva was appointed Atlético Paranaense manager on 16 June 2014, but failed to impress, being sacked only two months later. On 14 December 2014, Doriva was appointed as manager of Vasco. The following 4 August, after another state league title, he was named at the helm of Ponte Preta; on 7 August, however, he rescinded with the latter and moved to São Paulo. In June 2018, Doriva was appointed coach of CRB. He left the club in September, to be replaced by Roberto Fernandes.
International career
Doriva's first cap for the Brazil national football team was in 1995. He was part of the Brazil squad which reached the final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He wore the number 17 shirt and made one appearance, in the second match of the group. He came on against Morocco in Nantes as a 68th-minute substitute for César Sampaio. He played a total of 12 games for the Brazilian squad.
