Born in the village of Negrais in Sintra, Lisbon, Caneira began his career at the Sporting CP youth system, eventually graduating to the senior squad and making his first-team debut while still only a junior (aged 17).
[14] He appeared in 32 official games in his first season (21 in the league, helping his team to the second place), but fell out of favour in the following years, inclusively not being given a jersey for the 2010–11 campaign,[15] and he left the club in June 2011.
On the last day of the 2011 summer transfer window, the 32-year-old Caneira signed with Videoton FC in Hungary, sharing teams with three compatriots including former international teammate Paulo Sousa, who acted as the club's manager.
On 25 October 2012, he scored only his fourth goal as a professional, netting from close range after a corner kick in an eventual 2–1 home victory against FC Basel in the UEFA Europa League group stage.
[17] A Portugal international since 2002, Caneira was selected for the squad that appeared in that year's FIFA World Cup, but did not play in the tournament held in Japan and South Korea.
[18] Left out of the squad for UEFA Euro 2004, Caneira returned for the 2006 World Cup, playing in Portugal's last group stage match against Mexico (2–1 win).