[1][2] A product of Flamengo's youth system, Paulo Nunes was part of a remarkable generation of players revealed by the Gávea team, such as Djalminha, Júnior Baiano, Marquinhos, Nélio, Marcelinho Carioca and Sávio.

Alongside him, Paulo Nunes formed one of the most effective attacking duos in Grêmio history.

At Grêmio, Paulo Nunes lived the most glorious time in career, winning two Campeonato Gaúcho titles, the Copa Libertadores cup, the Campeonato Brasileiro, the Recopa Sul-Americana and the Copa do Brasil for the Porto Alegre team and being the lead scorer in the 1996 Campeonato Brasileiro and the 1997 Copa do Brasil.

After the defeat against Manchester United for the Intercontinental Cup, Paulo Nunes left Palmeiras.

Afterwards, he played for Corinthians, Gama, Al Nassr and Mogi Mirim, where he retired in 2003, at the age of 32.