Xalo Almeida started paintball in 1990 when paintball fever hit Brasil and there were fields opening everywhere.

In 2003 he played his first PSP World Cup, in Orlando, where he saw how paintball really is played, watching teams he had previously only heard of. That experience changed his world, as he decided to give his all to achieve one day be playing at the top level.

In 2004 Xalo heard that a certain team was having open tryouts, and he decided to take on that challenge with his buddy Saulo. So they both traveled halfway around the world to tryout for the one of the best international team in the world, the Russian Legion. After a few weeks, it was clear to the Russians that Xalo was a dedicated player with tremendous heart and potential, so he was signed to play with the Pro Russian Legion squad.   Xalo played the entire 2004 season with the Russian Legion, traveling around the globe for tournaments while living and practicing in Moscow, alongside Dan Maskell and Mikko Huttunen.  That 2004 squad achieved some amazing things, such as being the first non american team to win a PRO event on American soil.

Since then Xalo has been able to make a living on paintball. At the end of the 2004 season Xalo left the Legion and moved to North Carolina to play with Baltimore Trauma, however due to contractual problems he was not able to play in the NXL for any team other than the Russian Legion.

At this point Xalo saw chances of playing at the top level getting more and more slim, until he met Doc Drapper. Doc invited him to join Doc's Raiders where he's was for 2 seasons. 

Since 2007 Xalo has only played X-Ball with the World Champions "The Iron Men". The Iron Men are the back to back World Champions for the past 2 years. Chop Shop is excited to see Xalo join them for the Commander Cup.