Ricardo

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

He spent most of his professional career with Boavista and Sporting, helping the former to its only Primeira Liga title and appearing with the latter in more than 150 official matches, winning one Portuguese Cup. In his 30s he moved abroad, representing mainly Betis.

Ricardo won 79 caps with Portugal, appearing with the nation at two World Cups and as many European Championships, notably reaching the final at Euro 2004.

Club Career

Portugal

Born in Montijo, Setubal, Ricardo started his career at hometown club C.D. Montijo, signing with Boavista F.C. in 1995. After battling during several seasons for first-choice status with William Andem he eventually became first-choice, and appeared in 28 matches in the Chequereds 2000–01 conquest of the Primeira Liga championship, the club's only title in its history.

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. In the following off-season, he joined Sporting CP for a fee of €7 million and 20% from the value of any future transfer.

An undisputed starter from his beginnings, Ricardo backstopped the side to the final of the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, a 1–3 home loss against PFC CSKA Moscow (the match was played at the Alvalade XXI Stadium).

Betis

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. His league debut took place against Recreativo de Huelva on 26 August, a 1–1 away draw; 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.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Рикарду (russian)