Having won more than 40 caps for Portugal in six years, Carlos Manuel represented the nation in one World Cup and one European Championship.

After a solid first season his career began winding down, and he finally retired at the end of 1993–94 whilst at G.D. Estoril Praia – he had previously represented Boavista F.C.

Midway through the 1997–98 campaign, he bought out his contract at S.C. Salgueiros and joined Sporting,[3] but the latter could only finish fourth and he was dismissed, a fate he met mere months after at S.C. Braga.

Three of those goals were memorable: the win over Poland in Wrocław on 28 October 1983 which helped Portugal qualify for Euro 1984,[4] the historic victory in West Germany on 16 October 1985, which secured qualification for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, and in the latter competition's final stages, the defeat of England in the group opener (all three matches finished 1–0 for Portugal).

[5][6][7] After the 1986 World Cup loss to Morocco, with the national side being ousted in the group stages – the competition was also stained by the Portuguese players' involvement in the Saltillo Affair – Carlos Manuel retired from the international scene, at only 28.