Ricardo Quaresma

Ricardo Andrade Quaresma Bernardo (; born 26 September 1983) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a winger.

He began his career at Sporting CP and went on to play for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Porto (twice), Chelsea, Beşiktaş (twice), Al-Ahli Dubai, Kasımpaşa and Vitória de Guimarães. Regarded as a mercurial talent, his tricks, including the ''rabona'' and '' trivela'' (a bending shot with the outside of his right foot) made him a popular figure among fans around the world.

A Portugal international for 15 years, Quaresma won 80 caps and played at three European Championships, including the victorious Euro 2016 campaign, and the 2018 World Cup.

Club career

Sporting CP

Quaresma was born in Lisbon. A trainee at Sporting CP's famed academy, the 17-year-old was promoted to the first team by manager László Bölöni before the start of the 2001–02 season, playing 28 Primeira Liga matches and scoring three goals as the team won the double.

Under the same coach, Quaresma scored five times in the league the following campaign, but the team could only finish in third place.

Barcelona

In 2003, Quaresma was sold to FC Barcelona for a reported €6 million fee and the loan of Fábio Rochemback. In his first year in La Liga he made ten starts and 12 substitute appearances, scoring in the 5–0 home rout of Albacete Balompié.

Quaresma injured his right foot in the final weeks of the season, forcing him to miss both the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship and UEFA Euro 2004 tournaments. Shortly after, he announced his refusal to play for the Spanish club as long as manager Frank Rijkaard was in charge.

Porto

Quaresma signed for FC Porto in the summer of 2004 as Deco moved in the opposite direction for a fee of €15 million plus Quaresma, valued at €6 million. He started the campaign on a high note by scoring the only goal in a win against S.L. Benfica in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, and also scored in the 2–1 loss to Valencia CF in the UEFA Super Cup.

Quaresma scored five goals in his first year at the Estádio do Dragão, and the club finished as runners-up. In the penalty shootout defeat of Once Caldas in the Intercontinental Cup, he successfully converted his attempt in an 8–7 victory in Yokohama.

Inter Milan

On 1 September 2008, Quaresma signed for Italian champions Inter Milan in a cash/player exchange fee of €18.6 million, with youngster Pelé joining Porto. He scored in his first Serie A match against Catania Calcio, with one of his trademark '' trivelas'' in a 2–1 home win. However, he found opportunities in the starting XI limited, as coach José Mourinho stated:

"He is a great talent, but the joy I have at seeing the way Ibra works for and with the team I do not yet have with Quaresma. He will have to learn, otherwise he won’t play, and I am sure he'll change and become more tactically disciplined. He likes kicking the ball with the outside of his foot, but if you ask me about him in a few months' time, we'll be talking about a different Quaresma."

At the end of the season, Quaresma was given the Bidone d'oro award for the worst footballer in the Italian top division. On 2 February 2009, transfer deadline day, he signed on loan for Premier League club Chelsea until 30 June, making his first appearance five days later in a 0–0 home draw with Hull City. On 7 March, he provided the cross for Alex to score against Coventry City in the sixth round of the FA Cup. After a disappointing start at the San Siro, he said his move had restored his confidence, and he further stated "When I was at Inter, I wasn't feeling very confident. I wasn't playing well and wasn't happy, I already feel more confident here at Chelsea. It has brought the joy back for me, which I didn't have at Inter."

Having returned to Inter despite attempts made by the club to offload him, Quaresma inherited the number 7 shirt following the retirement of his compatriot Luís Figo. However, after the arrival of Goran Pandev he did not feature much in Mourinho's plans as the team went on to win the treble, making 11 appearances in the league without scoring.

Beşiktaş

On 13 June 2010, Quaresma joined Beşiktaş J.K. of the Turkish Süper Lig, who paid €7.3 million for his services and signed him to a three-year contract, which entitled him to €3.5 million in the first season and €3.75 million in the next two. He scored his first goal for them against FC Viktoria Plzeň in the UEFA Europa League's third qualifying round, and was also an integral part of their victorious run in the Turkish Cup, opening the scoring in the 33rd minute of the final against İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. and being named player of the match after the 4–3 win on penalties.

On 25 April 2011, Quaresma and teammate Nihat Kahveci had a spat on the pitch – the latter was upset at the former for failing to pass the ball, but the altercation was eventually broken up by teammates. Following the 3–1 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Europa League's round of 16 the following 8 March, he had an altercation with Carlos Carvalhal in the dressing room at half-time after the manager replaced him with İsmail Köybaşı, reportedly beginning to throw water bottles before saying, "I brought you here, you just think of yourself. If I was not here, arvalhalwould not be here. You can not remove me from the match because you're nothing." He was suspended indefinitely by the club following the incident, and released on 20 December six months before his contract was due to expire, being paid the remaining €1.48 million.

Al Ahli

On 8 January 2013, Quaresma signed with Al Ahli FC in the UAE Pro League. He scored two league goals from ten games in his only season, adding another in his sole appearance in a victorious campaign in the UAE President's Cup.

In May 2013, the 29-year-old Quaresma was released.

Return to Porto

Quaresma returned to Porto on 1 January 2014, where over 10,000 fans greeted him in training. He scored in his first European match of his second spell against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League's round of 32 on 20 February (2–2 home draw), and then set up a goal and scored in a 2–2 draw with S.S.C. Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo. In the quarter-finals of the same competition, he scored a consolation goal in the 4–1 away loss to Sevilla FC.

On 15 April 2015, Quaresma scored twice in the first ten minutes, starting with a penalty, as Porto defeated FC Bayern Munich 3–1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League's quarter-final tie.

Beşiktaş return

Quaresma returned to Beşiktaş in July 2015, being greeted by a crowd of thousands at Istanbul Atatürk Airport. He stated his aim was to win the league with the team, which was eventually achieved and retained the following season.

On 26 February 2018, Quaresma scored a trademark '' trivela'' goal against Fenerbahçe S.K. in the Istanbul derby when he bent the ball around Mauricio Isla into the top corner of the net with the outside of his right foot, the first of his two goals in a 3–1 win.

Later career

The 35-year-old Quaresma continued to ply his trade in the Turkish top division on 29 August 2019, when the free agent signed with Kasımpaşa S.K. for one season. In July 2020, he left.

On 7 September 2020, Quaresma agreed to a two-year deal with Vitória de Guimarães. He scored four times in his first year, adding six assists in a seventh-place finish.

Quaresma was less played by new manager Pepa in the 2021–22 campaign. In May, he confirmed he was leaving the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques.

International career

A UEFA European Under-16 Championship winner with Portugal in 2000, Quaresma made his debut for the full side on 10 June 2003, in a friendly against Bolivia. Poor form during his time with Barcelona and an injury prevented him from taking part in the Under-21 Championships, Euro 2004 and the 2004 Summer Olympics. He was selected for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, and he featured in the vital 2–0 victory over Slovakia, but was omitted by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari from the final squad.

In February 2007, Quaresma appeared in a friendly against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium, providing an assist in the 2–0 win and being named man of the match. On 24 March, he scored his first goal for the national team in their 4–0 defeat of Belgium in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers, held in his home town. Picked for the finals in Austria and Switzerland, he replaced Simão Sabrosa for the last ten minutes of the second group match against the Czech Republic, scoring in stoppage time to contribute to a 3–1 win. He started the next match, a 0–2 loss to hosts Switzerland, when nine of the 11 regular starters were rested.

In August 2010, after nearly two years of absence, Quaresma was called up for two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Cyprus and Norway to be held the next month, replacing the injured Cristiano Ronaldo. He played the full 90 minutes in the first match, a 4–4 home draw.

After failing to receive any playing time at the Euro 2012 tournament, and being involved in a training incident with teammate Miguel Lopes, Quaresma was named in Portugal's provisional 30-man squad for the 2014 World Cup, but did not make the final cut. Coach Paulo Bento said regarding the matter, "I have to accept that people will question my decisions. Nani has difference 'sic''characteristics to Quaresma."

Quaresma scored a penalty, his first international goal in over six years, in a friendly with France on 11 October 2014, but in a 2–1 loss. He was then picked for Euro 2016, where he scored the match's only goal – in the 117th minute – in a last-16 win over Croatia. Five days later, in the quarter-final against Poland, he scored the winning spot-kick in a penalty shootout following a 1–1 draw after extra time. In the final against hosts France on 10 July, he came off the bench for Ronaldo, who was forced off in the opening 25 minutes due to injury; the match ended in a 1–0 extra-time victory to Portugal, which saw the country win its first ever international title.

Quaresma was chosen for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. He scored the opening goal of Portugal's 2–2 draw with Mexico in the group stage, and helped his team to an eventual third-place finish.

Fifteen years after his first cap, Quaresma was selected for a World Cup squad for the first time, the 2018 tournament which also took place in Russia. In Portugal's third group match, against Iran, he scored a goal-of-the-tournament contender, playing a one-two with Adrien Silva on the right side of the field before striking the ball with the outside of his right foot—a trademark ''trivela''—into the top left corner of the goal in a 1–1 draw that took his team into the last 16.

Style of play and temperament

Once described as "a mercurial, enigmatic talent", Quaresma was known for his flair and was popular for incorporating a repertoire of tricks into his style of play, including the ''rabona'' and '' trivela'', the latter a bending shot with the outside of his right foot. A winger who could play on either flank, his crossing ability, creativity, dribbling skills, technique and poise on the ball, combined with his qualities of speed and finesse caused a regular problem for opposing defences, and also allowed him to create space for his teammates.

Although he was regarded in the media as a highly promising player in his youth, his career was marked by inconsistency; moreover, his work-rate, mentality, tactical discipline and attitude were often brought into question by his managers and the media. He was also accused by certain pundits of being selfish, due to his individualistic playing style and tendency to hold on to possession excessively.

In 2017, Marco Monteiro of ''FIFA.com'' described Quaresma as "insanely talented and equally temperamental." He was able to improve upon this weakness as his career progressed, with the ''BBC'' noting ahead of the 2014 World Cup that "his workrate has been exemplary since returning home," while Jonathan Liew of ''The Daily Telegraph'' commented during Euro 2016: "So it is that a player whose career was widely believed to be over now has the whole country in his hands. The veteran Quaresma is a more mature player these days, creative but reliable, unpredictable but disciplined, a man who will never undo the past but is at least showing signs of learning."

Personal life

Quaresma is of partial Romani descent, earning him the nickname "''O Cigano''" ("The Gypsy"). Speaking of an alleged racial slur towards him by an opponent in 2014, he said, "When I hear people say there is no racism nowadays it makes me laugh. When something happens in Portugal it's always fault of gypsies, blacks, immigrants. It's tough to live with this." In May 2020, he spoke out against the anti-Romani rhetoric of the politician André Ventura.

Quaresma was erroneously quoted by media outlets as being the great-nephew of former Portugal international footballers Alfredo Quaresma and Artur Quaresma but later denied this, nonetheless citing them as "an inspiration".

Quaresma is known for his tattoos. In 2016, he had two teardrops inked onto his face. Later that year, he had Psalm 91:4 tattooed on the back of his head.

Quaresma had two sons with his partner, and a daughter from a previous relationship. A convert to Catholicism, he was baptised in July 2016 together with his sons in Pêro Pinheiro, Sintra, with teammates Eliseu and Carlos Martins being present at the event.

Media

Quaresma featured in EA Sports' ''FIFA'' video game series. He was one of 39 players to earn a five-star skill rating on ''FIFA 18''.

Sponsored by the sportswear and equipment supplier Nike, Quaresma worn Nike Mercurial Superfly VI Elite football boots.

Career statistics

Club

International

:Portugal score listed first, score column indicates score after each Quaresma goal''.

Honours

Sporting CP
*Primeira Liga: 2001–02
*Taça de Portugal: 2001–02
*Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2002

Porto
*Primeira Liga: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08
*Taça de Portugal: 2005–06
*Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2004, 2006
* Intercontinental Cup: 2004

Inter Milan
*Serie A: 2009–10
*Coppa Italia: 2009–10
*UEFA Champions League: 2009–10

Beşiktaş
*Süper Lig: 2015–16, 2016–17
*Turkish Cup: 2010–11

Al Ahli
*UAE President's Cup: 2012–13

Portugal U16
* UEFA European Under-16 Championship: 2000

Portugal
*UEFA European Championship: 2016

Individual
* SJPF Player of the Month: November 2005, December 2005, November 2006, December 2006
* Primeira Liga Player of the Year: 2006

Orders
* Commander of the Order of Merit

References

External links

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National team data

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Quaresma, Ricardo
1983 births
Living people
Portuguese Romani people
Converts to Roman Catholicism
Portuguese Roman Catholics
Portuguese footballers
Footballers from Lisbon
Romani footballers
Association football wingers
Primeira Liga players
Segunda Divisão players
Sporting CP B players
Sporting CP footballers
FC Porto players
Vitória S.C. players
La Liga players
FC Barcelona players
Serie A players
Inter Milan players
Premier League players
Chelsea F.C. players
Süper Lig players
Beşiktaş J.K. footballers
Kasımpaşa S.K. footballers
UAE Pro League players
Al Ahli Club (Dubai) players
UEFA Champions League winning players
Portugal youth international footballers
Portugal under-21 international footballers
Portugal B international footballers
Portugal international footballers
UEFA Euro 2008 players
UEFA Euro 2012 players
UEFA Euro 2016 players
2017 FIFA Confederations Cup players
2018 FIFA World Cup players
UEFA European Championship-winning players
Portuguese expatriate footballers
Expatriate footballers in Spain
Expatriate footballers in Italy
Expatriate footballers in England
Expatriate footballers in Turkey
Expatriate footballers in the United Arab Emirates
Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Italy
Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in England
Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates
Commanders of the Order of Merit (Portugal)