Struggling to find a new football club, they started to pursue beach soccer instead, joining Vasco da Gama and soon after, Flamengo.

After finishing as top scorer at the 2014 Euro Winners Cup, Léo, and brother Bê, received an offer to join the Portugal squad at the end of 2014 after playing for clubs in Italy.

[2] Léo debuted for Portugal on 9 July 2015 at the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup,[6] six months after his brother.

[7] Portugal won the tournament, and in response, Léo, along with the rest of the squad, were appointed as Officers of the Order of Prince Henry in December 2015.

[2] In 2016, Léo combined with Alan to finish off a one-two move versus Greece nominated for goal of the year, but his effort was beaten by Nick Perera of the United States.

[12] In 2021, Léo was voted by fellow national team captains and coaches as one of the best three players in the world at the Beach Soccer Stars awards in Dubai.