João Afonso (footballer, born 1982)


João Miguel Duarte Afonso is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a central defender.

Club career

Born in Lisbon, Afonso played lower league football until the age of 30, representing mainly S.C.U. Torreense and C.D. Mafra. In 2012, he signed a one-year contract for C.F. Belenenses in the Segunda Liga, making his professional debut on 14 October in a 1–0 home win against Portimonense S.C. and contributing with 16 games and two goals during the season as the club returned to the Primeira Liga after three years.
Afonso's first appearance in the Portuguese top flight took place on 18 August 2013, as he featured the full 90 minutes in a 0–3 home loss to Rio Ave FC.