Ricardo

Ricardo Jorge Ferreira Pinto da Silva (born 19 August 1980), known simply as Ricardo, is a Cape Verdean former professional footballer who played as a central defender and a right-back.

Ricardo was born in Azurém, Guimarães, Portugal, and started playing football with amateurs Centro de Cultura e Desporto Desportivo de Ronfe and G.D. Serzedelo.

In the following three years he competed in the third division, representing F.C. Famalicão (one season) and S.C. Freamunde (two).

In the summer of 2004, Ricardo moved straight to the Primeira Liga, signing with S.C. Beira-Mar.

He featured in 29 games in his first season (24 starts), but suffered relegation; he continued to appear regularly for the Aveiro team during his spell, spending two years apiece in each of Portugal's major levels.

Ricardo returned to the top flight for 2008–09, joining F.C. Paços de Ferreira.

In the following campaign's first round, he scored with his head to earn his side a point against FC Porto in a 1–1 home draw.

He received his first call-up in May 2008, first appearing on 27 May in a friendly with Luxembourg.

In June 2010, Ricardo signed with Vitória de Guimarães also of the top tier – he had been brought up as a youth at the Minho club.

In June 2010, Ricardo started in the 0–0 draw that the minnows (ranked 117th) managed against Portugal, as the Europeans were preparing for that year's FIFA World Cup.

In January 2012, after a brief spell in China, he returned to Portugal and Paços on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Ricardo retired at the end of 2019–20 aged 39, after one-season spells in the LigaPro with Famalicão and C.D. Feirense.

Although born in Portugal, Ricardo opted to represent Cape Verde through ancestry.