Career
Brazil
Alves started his career in Portugal with Portimonense in the Segunda Liga. He made his debut for the club on 28 October 2009 in a Taça de Portugal against Beira-March He started the match but got sent off in the 85th minute as the match ended in a 0–0 draw.
He soon went back to Brazil where he joined Porto Alegre and played for them in the Campeonato Gaúcho.
He made his debut for them on 16 January 2011 against Novo Hamburgo. He started the match and played 68 minutes as Porto Alegre lost 1–0.
After two years with Porto Alegre, Mailson signed for Tombense but was loaned to Vila Nova of the Série Doctorate for the 2013 season. He made his debut for Nova on 28 July 2013 against Marcílio Dias.
He started the match as Vila Nova drew it 0–0.
He eventually returned to Tombense and made his debut for them on 1 February 2014 against América. Mailson moved clubs again in 2015 when he signed for Tupi. Mailson played for the club in both the Série C and Campeonato Mineiro.
Chennaiyin
After finishing his contract with Tupi, Mailson decided to go abroad again and signed for Indian Super League side, Chennaiyin.