José Carlos de Araújo Nunes (born 7 March 1977) is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a central defender.

[1] Born in Castelo de Paiva, Aveiro District, Nunes began his professional career with modest clubs in the second and third divisions.

[2] After two solid seasons with Gil Vicente FC, Nunes signed with fellow top-flight side S.C. Braga in July 2004,[3] moving in January 2006 to Spain's La Liga with RCD Mallorca.

[4] He made his debut for his new team on the 29th, starting in a 0–3 home loss to FC Barcelona[5] and adding four league goals in his first full campaign in the Balearic Islands.

An undisputed starter from his arrival – he was also awarded captaincy early on[6][7]– Nunes continued to figure prominently in 2009–10 as Mallorca won their first ten home league games of the season, with the player scoring twice, although one of those came in the 4–2 defeat at Barcelona.