Ricardo Quaresma
Page dedicated to Ricardo Quaresma.
Soccer, Football, UEFA Cup

Who is Ricardo Quaresma?

The full name, Ricardo Andrade Quaresma Bernardo (born 26. sept, 1983 Lisbon/ Portugal), aka "Mustang", is a very talented young football player, who is fast and independent; some call him Harry Potter, just like a young magician on the football field, his moves confuse his opponents, with his magic like strength, great passing ability and special shooting style (with the outside of his foot), he belongs to the best young football stars in Europe. This is why he has a very promising football player future in front of him.

National Team

In 2000, Ricardo Quaresma won with his team the UEFA European U-16 Championship and made his international debut in a friendly game against Bolivia (2003). Because of his injury, he wasn't able to take part of the U-21 European UEFA championship in 2004, the UEFA EURO 2004 and the Olympic games, which took place in Athens. During the quest for the FIFA World Cup 2006, he helps his country to an amazing victory 2-0 against Slovakia. Portugal got a lot of stick, because the trainer didn't let him to take part of the FIFA 2006 World Cup, especially the Porto fans rebelled against that, the reason of that decision was, that Scolari thought, that Ricardo Quaresma's personality weakened the team never the less Quaresma was voted to Portuguese player of the year. Afterwards in a friendly against brazil, he could show his skills, where Portugal won 2-0, both goals were assisted by Ricardo Quaresma and he was named the player of the match.

Sporting Years

His sporting carrier started in 2000-2001 as a trainee, when he played 15 games in the B side, where his impressive activity in that season, made Lazlo Bölöni (a former player of Steaua Bucarest, afterwards a trainer) noticing him, and Ricardo got the great chance to play in the main squad. Ricardo Quaresma played 28 matches, in Lazlos Team and shot three goals that helped him becoming a key player. That was the point where Quaresma where he entered the super liga where he had to play against his current employ, FC Porto. Ricardio became a 'lone star' during the 2002-2003 season where he occupied rank 2 in total played minutes in one season ( 2216 total played) minutes in 31 matches where he scored in five events. Never the less the reasons of the poor results of that season where mainly caused by Bölöni, who didn't let Ricardo Quaresma and Cristiano Ronaldo a duo play at the same time.

Barcelona

Ricardo Quaresma got the big chance to play for FC Barcelona, who bought him for £ 4,100,000 GBP. Ricardos FC Barcelona depute started in a friendly match in vs. AC Milan, where he scored one goal. This first goal was essential for his following carrier. In that season he played in 21 matches (started in 10 and came off the bench in 11 matches). But all together he had only the chance to score one goal. Things became worse, when he injured his right foot in the last weeks of the same season, the injury let him miss the games the Euro 2004 and the UEFA U-21 Championship. Quaresma also announced that he refused to play as long as Frank Rijkaard was in charge of Barcelona. That action caused that several teams began requesting about the young "Mustang".
Barcelona's sporting rival FC Porto had an advantage during the transfer of Deco to Barcelona and Barcelona could use Ricardo as a part of the transfer fee. Ricardo Quaresma first wanted to refuse his transfer to his former team, but he changed his mind because FC Porto was the only team Ricardo wanted to join in his home country Portugal, so he signed the new agreement with FC Porto on 6 July of the same year, the transfer fee was around 6 millions Euro .

FC Porto

Ricardo Quaresma started his FC Porto professional carrier with a big bang where he shot the only goal in the match against SL Benefica during the Portuguese Super Cup (SuperCup Cândido de Oliveira). But that wasn't all, during the next 32 matches he scored 5 more goals and played in the final 16 games of FC Porto during the UEFA Champions League 2004. Quaresma's final significant services for FC Porto in 2004 were done during the dramatic game against CD Once Caldas (European/South American Cup 2004), where he contributed to the victory during a penalty shoot-out.

Quaresma was now regarded as one of the best players of the Portuguese Liga, and during his enthusiasm he managed to score 5 more goals. But things became worse when the FC Porto team lost it's connectivity which resulted in loosing the Championship to Benfeficia. Porto won the title in 2005/20056 and Ricardo Quaresma had much influence on his team's victory. Ricardo Quaresma is seen as one of the most talented team players both in offence and defense (after his defensive lack was corrected by a Co of Adreaanse) with his major strength in dribbling, his great crosses and passes using his outer part of his right foot. This amazing technique allows him to shoot the ball not straight but in a curve, causing the ball pulled away from the keeper, directly to the feet of the striker. Ricardo Quaresma is one of the most requested players and it was rumoured, that Porto wanted to transfer him to Atletico Madrid because of replacement reasons of to injured Wingers Petrov and Rodriguez, but Quaresma stated, that he would not like to move to Madrid and on the other hand the Porto had to pay much for his transfer because of his contract with the club. Also FC Chelsea made an offer of £14 million but failed. Maybe the transfer will be completed in the end of 2007, but they would have another competitor. The Italian Club Inter Milan has spotted Quaresma, who would be the best replacement for their former star Luis Figo.