Born in Pau dos Ferros, Rio Grande do Norte, Lopes was an América de Natal youth graduate, and went on to feature in the first team squad for three years before leaving.

He subsequently represented Santa Cruz de Natal, Paulista and Chapecoense before retiring in 2008 at the age of 27, due to injuries.

[1] After retiring, Lopes was an under-20 coach at his first club América, and later worked as an assistant of Leandro Sena at Treze and Roberto Fernandes at Remo in the 2014 season.

[13] Despite winning the 2021 Campeonato Amazonense, Lopes resigned from Manaus on 24 May of that year,[14] and was named Jacuipense head coach on 2 August.

[22] Three days later, he replaced Márcio Fernandes at the helm of fellow second division side Vila Nova,[23] but was also dismissed on 20 October.