Born in Campo Erê, Santa Catarina, João Carlos began his career with Brusque, and had a short spell at Vasco da Gama before joining the youth sides of Criciúma in 2019.
[1] He made his first team debut with the latter on 22 January 2020, starting in a 2–1 Campeonato Catarinense home win over Concórdia.
[2] João Carlos scored his first senior goal on 26 January 2020, netting the equalizer in a 3–2 away loss to Juventus Jaraguá.
[4] João Carlos helped the Marinheiro to win the 2022 Copa Santa Catarina,[5] and returned to Tigre in January 2023.
[6] On 30 January 2024, after being mainly a backup option as the club achieved promotion to the Série A, he renewed his contract until 2025.