Coritiba and Palmeiras Henrique started his career at
Coritiba in his home region. In 2008, he was bought by Palmeiras in a deal partially financed by
Traffic Group. Part of the later transfer fee of Henrique from Barcelona was credited to
Desportivo Brasil, the subsidiary of Traffic and re-distributed by Desportivo to Palmeiras.
Barcelona Dutch club
Ajax were said to have tabled a bid for Henrique in June 2008, which was soon followed by a report saying he had agreed terms with
Barcelona. In the end, Barcelona had secured Henrique's services from Palmeiras for €8 million, with an extra €2 million in bonuses. He signed a five-year deal and was to be immediately loaned out to German
Bundesliga side
Bayer Leverkusen. The transfer to Barça was officially completed a day later. Henrique made 27 league appearances in his season with Leverkusen and reached the final of the
2008–09 DFB-Pokal. He returned to Barcelona in June 2009, being given the number 23 shirt upon his return. On 31 August 2009, he was again loaned out, this time to
Racing de Santander. The loan was renewed for a second year on 26 July 2010. Barcelona wrote-down €1.757 million for the residual contract value of Henrique for the
2010–11 season.
Palmeiras On 15 July 2011, Henrique returned to Brazil on another loan deal from Barcelona. During the
2012 Copa do Brasil campaign, coach
Luiz Felipe Scolari started playing Henrique as a holding midfielder and the player thrived in the new role, with Palmeiras eventually winning the competition. On 2 June 2012, Barcelona cancelled Henrique's contract, prompting his release from the club. He then joined Palmeiras on a free transfer after a successful loan spell in 2011–12. Palmeiras, however, remained the holder of 80% of Henrique's economic rights, with 20% of any future transfer fee to be paid to unknown parties. Henrique also became second captain of the squad, behind dead-ball specialist
Marcos Assunção in the pecking order.
Napoli On 30 January 2014, Henrique officially signed with Italian
Serie A club
Napoli. The deal was completed for €4 million with the player agreeing to a three-and-a-half-year contract. He played all 90 minutes of their 3–1 victory over
Fiorentina in the
2014 Coppa Italia Final on 3 May.
Fluminense On 11 January 2016, Henrique joined
Fluminense on a three-year contract. ==International career==