Born in
Praia, Babanco started playing football with local
Sporting Clube da Praia. In 2009, he joined another club in his hometown,
Boavista FC. In the
2010–11 season, Babanco moved to
F.C. Arouca from Portugal, which was competing for the first time ever in the
Segunda Liga. He was first choice during his two-year spell, with the
Aveiro District side consecutively managing to retain their league status. On 5 June 2012, Babanco signed a two-year deal with
Primeira Liga club
S.C. Olhanense. A year later, he made his way to
G.D. Estoril Praia on a
free transfer, valid until 2016. After starting the season with
AEL Limassol in the
Cypriot First Division, Babanco rescinded his contract and returned to Portugal's top flight on 24 January 2017 on an 18-month deal at
C.D. Feirense. He scored his first goal in the division on 3 March 2018 to open a 3–0 home win against
Boavista FC. Babanco joined
G.D. Chaves of the second tier on 2 September 2019, with the 34-year-old agreeing to a one-year contract. He made only two competitive appearances during his spell at the
Estádio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira, and subsequently moved to the lower leagues with
U.D. Leiria. On 5 June 2024, with Leiria back in the professional divisions, and having experienced a slight
brain hemorrhage in March, Babanco announced his retirement at age 38. ==International career==