Ricardo (footballer, born 1976)

Ricardo Alexandre Martins Soares Pereira OIH (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁiˈkaɾðu]; born 11 February 1976), known simply as Ricardo, is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Ricardo
Ricardo playing for Leicester City
Personal information
Full name Ricardo Alexandre Martins Soares Pereira[1]
Date of birth (1976-02-11) 11 February 1976[2]
Place of birth Montijo, Portugal
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1987–1990 Unidos Barreiro
1990–1994 Montijo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1995 Montijo 18 (0)
1995–2003 Boavista 154 (1)
2003–2007 Sporting CP 125 (0)
2007–2011 Betis 48 (0)
2011 Leicester City 8 (0)
2011–2012 Vitória Setúbal 3 (0)
2012–2014 Olhanense 13 (0)
Total 369 (1)
International career
1997 Portugal U21 1 (0)
2001–2008 Portugal 79 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Portugal
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up2004 Portugal
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He spent most of his professional career with Boavista and Sporting CP, helping the former to its only Primeira Liga title and appearing in 158 official matches with the latter, winning one Taça de Portugal. He moved abroad in his 30s, representing mainly Betis.

Ricardo won 79 caps for Portugal, playing in two World Cups and as many European Championships, notably reaching the final at Euro 2004.[3]

Club career

Portugal

Born in Montijo, Setúbal, Ricardo started his career at hometown club C.D. Montijo, signing with Boavista F.C. in 1995.[4] After initially battling for first-choice status with William Andem he became first-choice,[5] and appeared in 28 matches in the Chequereds 2000–01 conquest of the Primeira Liga championship, the club's only title in its history.[6][7]

Ricardo was one of the latter team's most influential players in their 2002–03 campaign in the UEFA Cup, in a run that would only stop in the competition's semi-finals.[8] On 9 May 2003, through a penalty kick, he scored the only goal of the home win against S.C. Beira-Mar.[9]

In the following off-season, Ricardo joined Sporting CP for a fee of €7 million and 20% from the value of any future transfer.[10] An undisputed starter from his beginnings, he backstopped the side to the final of the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, a 3–1 loss to PFC CSKA Moscow (the game was played at the Estádio José Alvalade).[11]

Betis
Ricardo with Betis in 2009

On 9 July 2007, Ricardo was linked with a transfer to Real Betis and, two days later, he signed a four-year contract with the La Liga club.[12] His league debut took place against Recreativo de Huelva on 26 August, a 1–1 away draw;[13] having started the season as first-choice, he eventually lost the position to trainee Casto, but would regain his status for two of the last three games as the Andalusians avoided relegation.

In 2008–09, as manager Paco Chaparro, who arrived midway through the previous season, started on the bench, Ricardo lost the battle for first-choice, having to settle with Copa del Rey matches, a situation which would revert midway through the campaign[14][15] as Betis eventually suffered relegation. The following year he was backup to Iñaki Goitia, and made no appearances as his team finished fourth and were not promoted.[16]

Ricardo was not given any shirt number for 2010–11, being limited to training with the Pepe Mel-led squad, and later released from his contract in January 2011 – it was due to expire in June of that year.[16]

Later career

Ricardo started training with Football League Championship side Leicester City,[17] and joined the team on 31 January 2011, signing until the end of the season,[18] and citing manager Sven-Göran Eriksson as his motivation for making the move.[19] He made his competitive debut on 12 February, in a 2–0 win over Derby County at Pride Park Stadium.[20]

On 21 May 2011, Leicester confirmed it would not renew Ricardo's contract, due to expire on 30 June.[21] In mid-August he signed for Vitória de Setúbal, returning to his country after four years.[22]

Ricardo retired in 2014 after two years with S.C. Olhanense. He remained on the Algarve, settling in Vilamoura and setting up R1 Real Estate.[23]

International career

Ricardo made his debut for the Portugal national team on 2 June 2001 against the Republic of Ireland,[24] [3] taking the place of Vítor Baía who was recovering from a serious knee injury. However, he would be his backup in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.[25]

"I felt that I had to do something after conceding three penalties all in the centre of the goal. Taking the gloves off was what occurred to me at that moment and I did it to try and motivate myself and to put Vassell off."

Jorge Vicente, UEFA.com[26]

At UEFA Euro 2004, played on home soil, Ricardo helped Portugal to defeat England in the quarter-finalls on penalties: with the score at 5–5, he first saved the shot of Darius Vassell with his gloves off, and then scored the deciding penalty.[27] In the final against Greece, however, he misjudged a corner when coming for the ball, and Angelos Charisteas headed the only goal of the game.[28]

Ricardo kept two clean sheets in the 2006 World Cup group stage, only being beaten by Mexico's Francisco Fonseca as the national side won all three matches. They once again knocked out England in the quarter-finals of a major tournament on penalties, as he saved from Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher in a 3–1 shootout victory after a 0–0 draw with extra time, becoming the first keeper to save three times in a World Cup shootout;[29] the country finished fourth, and he was named to the tournament All-Star team as one of the three best goalkeepers.[30]

Despite some criticism, Ricardo remained first-choice in Euro 2008, playing all of the matches as Portugal was eliminated by Germany 3–2 in the quarter-finals, where he misjudged two clearances which led to headed goals.[31] After he lost his position at Betis he was not called up for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, being replaced by S.L. Benfica's Quim and later Eduardo.[32]

In March 2023, Ricardo was named the national team's new goalkeeper coach alongside Iñaki Bergara, following the appointment of Roberto Martínez.[33]

Career statistics

Club

[34][35]

Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other[36] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Montijo 1994–95 18000––––––180
Total 18000––––––180
Boavista 1995–96 0000––––––00
1996–97 16060––00––220
1997–98 34040––2020420
1998–99 5020––––––70
1999–00 9030––30––150
2000–01 28010––20––310
2001–02 29000––12010420
2002–03 33100––160––491
Total 1541160––350302081
Sporting CP 2003–04 34000––40––380
2004–05 33000––150––480
2005–06 30030––20––350
2006–07 28030––60––370
Total 125060––270––1580
Betis 2007–08 28000––––––280
2008–09 20060––––––260
2009–10 0000––––––00
2010–11 0000––––––00
Total 48060––––––540
Leicester City 2010–11 800000––––80
Total 800000––––80
Vitória Setúbal 2011–12 301020––––60
Total 301020––––60
Olhanense 2012–13 501030––––90
2013–14 800010––––90
Total 1301040––––180
Career Total 369130060620304701

International
Portugal[37]
YearAppsGoals
200170
200250
2003110
2004150
200580
2006150
2007110
200870
Total790

Honours

Boavista

Sporting CP

Portugal

Individual

Orders

References
  1. "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Portugal" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  2. "Ricardo" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  3. Mamrud, Roberto. "Ricardo Alexandre Martins Soares Pereira – International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  4. Simões de Abreu, Alexandra (4 November 2017). "Ricardo: "Para assinar pelo Sporting andei uma noite dentro da bagageira do carro e escondi-me em Óbidos durante um fim de semana"" [Ricardo: "In order to sign for Sporting I was in the trunk of a car a whole night and I hid in Óbidos for a weekend"]. Expresso (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  5. A. Lopes, Norberto (16 October 2000). "«Não esperava sair da baliza», diz William" ["I did not expect to leave the goal", says William] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  6. "Finalmente um novo campeão, 55 anos depois: 2000–01, Boavista campeão nacional pela primeira vez" [A new champion at last, 55 years later: 2000–01, Boavista national champions for the first time] (in Portuguese). Mundo Desportivo. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  7. Carvalho Reis, Joana (18 May 2016). "Lembra-se deles? Há 15 anos o Boavista foi campeão nacional" [Remember them? Boavista were national champions 15 years ago] (in Portuguese). TSF. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  8. "Ricardo's derby dream". UEFA. 21 March 2003. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  9. "Ricardo: o primeiro guarda-redes a marcar nesta edição da Superliga" [Ricardo: the first goalkeeper to score in this edition of the Superleague] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 9 May 2003. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  10. "Comunicado (facto relevante)" [Announcement (relevant fact)] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Portuguese Securities Market Commission. 21 July 2003. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  11. Sanderson, Pete (18 May 2005). "Resilient CSKA sink Sporting". UEFA. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  12. "Resurgent Betis secure double coup". UEFA. 14 July 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  13. "Igualada a todo en el derbi andaluz" [All square in Andalusian derby]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 26 August 2007. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  14. González, Tito (9 January 2009). "Ricardo vuelve a ser el portero titular del Betis" [Ricardo is Betis' starting goalkeeper again]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  15. "El Betis nunca alinéo tantos porteros en 70 años como ahora" [Betis never fielded so many goalkeepers in 70 years as now]. El Correo de Andalucía (in Spanish). 2 October 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  16. Tur, Carlos (23 June 2012). "La enquistada salida de Goitia" [Goitia's halted departure] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  17. "Portuguese keeper Ricardo trains with Leicester City". BBC Sport. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  18. "Leicester City snap up former Portugal keeper Ricardo". BBC Sport. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  19. "Leicester City's Ricardo proud to play for Eriksson". BBC Sport. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  20. "Derby 0–2 Leicester". BBC Sport. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  21. "Ricardo among ten to leave". Leicester City F.C. 21 May 2011. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  22. "Ricardo reforça Vitória de Setúbal" [Ricardo bolsters Vitória de Setúbal]. Público (in Portuguese). 16 August 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  23. Alvarenga, Vítor Hugo (22 July 2016). "O outro mundo de Ricardo: a venda de casas no Algarve" [Ricardo's other world: selling houses on the Algarve] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  24. Marques, Fernando (3 June 2001). "Caprichos de um vento errante" [Whims of a wandering wind]. Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  25. Albino Gomes, Tomás (5 June 2018). "Mundial 2002 ou a história de um plano que afinal não era perfeito" [2002 World Cup or the story of a plan which turned out not to be perfect] (in Portuguese). SAPO. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  26. "Ricardo reveals winning ploy". UEFA. 25 June 2004. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  27. "Portugal break England hearts". BBC Sport. 24 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  28. Szreter, Adam (4 July 2004). "Greece are crowned kings of Europe after EURO 2004 final win against hosts Portugal". UEFA. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  29. "Portugal revels in Ricardo heroics". UEFA. 2 July 2006. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  30. "Terry makes Fifa World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 7 July 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  31. Winter, Henry (20 June 2008). "Euro 2008: German power leaves Portugal in despair". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  32. Mira, Luís (2 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: Official Portugal squad – Zé Castro dropped from Selecção". Goal. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  33. Vieira, Nuno; Araújo, João (4 March 2023). "Ricardo Pereira e Iñaki Bergara integram equipa técnica de Martínez" [Ricardo Pereira and Iñaki Bergara make Martínez's coaching staff]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  34. Ricardo at ForaDeJogo (archived)
  35. "Ricardo". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  36. Includes other competitive competitions, including the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  37. "Ricardo". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  38. Ferreira, Luís Pedro (18 February 2022). "Nuno Gomes: «Nesse Boavista-Benfica, ainda alguém disse que tentei chutar para fora»" [Nuno Gomes: "In that Boavista-Benfica, some went as far as saying I tried to shoot it wide"] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  39. Pereira, David (3 August 2018). "39 Supertaças e só dois tomba-gigantes. Aves quer ser o terceiro" [39 Supercups and only two giant-killers. Aves want to be the third]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  40. Gouveia, Ricardo (27 May 2007). "Taça de Portugal: Belenenses-Sporting, 0–1 (crónica)" [Portuguese Cup: Belenenses-Sporting, 0–1 (report)] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  41. "Selecção distinguida pelo Duque de Bragança" [National team honoured by Duke of Bragança] (in Portuguese). Cristiano Ronaldo News. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 30 August 2006.
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