José Nunes facts for kids
Nunes in action for Mallorca in 2011
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | José Carlos de Araújo Nunes | ||
| Date of birth | 7 March 1977 | ||
| Place of birth | Castelo de Paiva, Portugal | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1988–1989 | Sporting Paivense | ||
| 1989–1994 | Cinfães | ||
| 1994–1996 | Sporting Paivense | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1996–1997 | Ovarense | 26 | (1) |
| 1997–2001 | Maia | 103 | (2) |
| 2001–2002 | Salgueiros | 20 | (0) |
| 2002–2004 | Gil Vicente | 61 | (1) |
| 2004–2005 | Braga | 48 | (1) |
| 2006–2014 | Mallorca | 243 | (13) |
| Total | 501 | (18) | |
| International career | |||
| 1997–1998 | Portugal U20 | 5 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
José Carlos de Araújo Nunes, often known simply as Nunes, is a former professional footballer from Portugal. He was born on March 7, 1977. Nunes played as a central defender, which means he was a key player in the defense, helping to stop the opposing team from scoring goals.
He spent many years playing for different football clubs. A big part of his career was with RCD Mallorca in Spain. He played in over 250 official matches for them. Before that, he also played in Portugal's top league, the Primeira Liga, for teams like S.C. Salgueiros, Gil Vicente, and S.C. Braga.
Contents
Nunes's Football Journey
Starting Out in Portugal
Nunes began his football journey with smaller clubs in Portugal. He played in the second and third divisions of Portuguese football. His first time playing in the top league, the Primeira Liga, was during the 2001–02 season with S.C. Salgueiros.
After playing well for Gil Vicente FC for two seasons, Nunes joined another top-tier team, S.C. Braga, in July 2004. He was a strong defender and continued to improve his skills.
Moving to Spain with Mallorca
In January 2006, Nunes made a big move to Spain. He joined RCD Mallorca, a team in Spain's top league, La Liga. He played his first game for Mallorca on January 29, 2006. Even though his first game was a tough 0–3 loss to FC Barcelona, he quickly became an important player for his new team.
In his first full season with Mallorca, 2006–07, he even scored four goals! This is quite a lot for a defender.
Becoming a Team Leader
Nunes quickly became a regular starter for Mallorca. He was so important that he was made the team captain early in his time there. During the 2009–10 season, Mallorca had an amazing start at home, winning their first ten league games. Nunes scored two goals that season, helping his team.
Mallorca finished fifth in the league that year, which was a great achievement for the club. Nunes played in 34 matches and scored four goals, showing his impact on both defense and attack.
Overcoming Challenges
In August 2011, Nunes faced a challenge when he got a serious knee injury during a friendly match against SSC Napoli. Doctors thought he might be out for seven months. However, Nunes worked hard and recovered much faster, returning to play in less than four months!
Even with the injury, he still managed to play in 14 games during the 2011–12 season and scored two goals. His efforts helped Mallorca finish eighth in the league that year. Nunes continued to play for Mallorca until 2014, making him a true legend for the club.
See also
In Spanish: Nunes (futbolista) para niños
