Zé Carlos

José Carlos de Almeida (14 November 1967 – 25 October 2024), best known as Zé Carlos, was a Brazilian footballer who played as a defender.

Zé Carlos started his career in 1990, and played for São José, Nacional, São Caetano, Portuguesa, União São João, São Paulo, Juventude, Matonense, Ponte Preta, Grêmio, and Joinville.

He last played for Portuguesa in 2005 until May.

Background Zé Carlos was born in Presidente Bernardes, São Paulo on 14 October 1967. He died from a cardiac arrest in Osasco, on 25 October 2024, at the age of 56.

International career Zé Carlos was called up for the Brazil national team's squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup despite having never even been named for the senior squad, replacing Flávio Conceição. He played his sole national match in the 1998 FIFA World Cup semifinal match against Netherlands since Cafu was suspended.