Born in Castro Daire, Viseu District, Luís Carlos joined Clube Oriental de Lisboa's youth system in 1985, going on to compete with the club as a senior in the lower leagues.
[2][3] Subsequently, Luís Carlos was only a fringe player for Benfica, first losing his place to Hugo Leal then being completely sidelined by Jupp Heynckes in the 1999–2000 campaign.
[4][5] After being subjected to disciplinary procedures due to comments he made regarding the latter's releasing of João Vieira Pinto, referring to him as "not much of a man",[6] Benfica sent him on a permanent deal to C.F.
[7] After suffering relegation from the top flight at the end of the season, Luís Carlos returned to the third level, first with Atlético Clube de Portugal then G.D. Estoril-Praia, helping the latter club promote to the second tier in 2003.
During his tenure with Benfica, Luís Carlos earned one cap for Portugal, playing the second half of a 2–1 friendly win with Mozambique in Ponta Delgada on 19 August 1998.