The following season he made 7 more appearances in all competitions for Ipatinga, until he moved back to Cruzeiro for the rest of the season where he made his debut in the Brasileirão. He also scored his first top flight goal in the 2006 season, in a 3-1 win over Botafogo.
He played 7 more games across all competitions for Ipatinga before returning to Cruzeiro for the remainder of the year and making his debut in the Brasileirão. He also scored his first top-flight goal during the 2006 season, in a 3-1 victory over Botafogo.