Ricardo

Portugal

Born in Montijo, Setúbal, Ricardo started his career at hometown club Montijo, signing with Boavista in 1995. After initially battling for first-choice status with William Andem, he 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 their 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. On 9 May 2003, through a penalty kick, he scored the only goal of the home win against Beira-Mar. In the following off-season, Ricardo joined Sporting CP for a fee of €7 million and 20% from the value of any future transfer. An undisputed starter from his beginnings, he backstopped the side to the final of the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, a 3–1 loss to CSKA Moscow (the game was played at the Estádio José Alvalade).

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. In 2008–09, as manager Paco Chaparro, who arrived midway through the previous season, started on the bench, Ricardo lost the…

Ricardo made his debut for the Portugal national team on 2 June 2001 against the Republic of Ireland, 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.

At UEFA Euro 2004, played on home soil, Ricardo helped Portugal to defeat England in the quarter-finals 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. 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. 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; the country finished fourth, and he was named to the tournament All-Star team as one of the three best goalkeepers. 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. After he lost his position at Betis he was not called up for the 2010 World Cup…

Club

International

Atlético and Valladolid

Born in Madrid, Ricardo began his professional career at Atlético Madrid, working his way through the reserves and going on to represent the senior squad until 1998. Barred by José Francisco Molina, he only managed one first-team appearance which came during the 1996–97 season, in a 3–2 away win against Real Zaragoza on 2 June 1997. Subsequently, Ricardo was transferred to Real Valladolid, also in La Liga. He spent four years at the club, becoming first-choice in the 2001–02 campaign (all 38 matches played) while also being selected as a member of the Spanish squad for the 2002 World Cup, though he did not play in the finals.

Manchester United

On 30 August 2002, Ricardo joined English club Manchester United in a three-year deal worth £1.5 million. Signed to provide cover for the injured Fabien Barthez and the inexperienced Roy Carroll, he found first-team opportunities rare, appearing in four UEFA Champions League matches and just once in the Premier League. He marked his only appearance in the latter competition, against Blackburn Rovers on 19 April 2003, by conceding a penalty with his first touch after he fouled Andy Cole, but saved David Dunn's attempt in an eventual 3–1 victory. On 23 August 2003, Ricardo agreed to a loan transfer to Racing de Santander for 2003–04 season – the deal included an option to make transfer permanent the following June. On his return to Spain, Ricardo was quoted in the Spanish sports daily AS as…

Ricardo played twice for Spain, his debut coming on 14 November 2001 in a friendly with Mexico. In a testimonial match for Ferenc Puskás the following summer, during a 1–1 draw against Hungary in Budapest, he received his second and final cap; in both cases, he came on as a substitute for Iker Casillas. Ricardo was selected for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Club

International

Boavista

Primeira Liga: 2000–01 Taça de Portugal: 1996–97 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1997 Sporting CP

Taça de Portugal: 2006–07 UEFA Cup runner-up: 2004–05 Portugal

UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2004 Individual

FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2006 Orders

Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Braganza)

Atlético Madrid

Copa del Rey: 1995–96