Ricardo Quaresma

Ricardo Andrade Quaresma Bernardo (born 26 September 1983) is a Portuguese former professional winger. He came through Sporting CP’s academy and later played for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Porto (two spells), Chelsea, Beşiktaş (two spells), Al-Ahli Dubai, Kasımpaşa, and Vitória de Guimarães. Known for his flashy style, he was famous for tricks like the rabona and the trivela—a curving shot struck with the outside of his right foot—which made him a fan favourite worldwide. Over 15 years as a Portugal international, he earned 80 caps and appeared at three European Championships, including the title-winning Euro 2016 side, as well as the 2018 World Cup.

Quaresma was born in Lisbon. Promoted to Sporting’s first team by manager László Bölöni at age 17 ahead of the 2001–02 season, he played 28 league matches and scored three goals, helping the club win the domestic double. The following season, under the same coach, he netted five league goals but Sporting finished third.

In 2003, Barcelona bought Quaresma for a reported €6 million, with Fábio Rochemback moving on loan to Sporting. During his first La Liga season, he started ten games and came off the bench 12 times, scoring in a 5–0 home thrashing of Albacete. A right-foot injury late in the campaign ruled him out of the 2004 European Under-21 Championship and UEFA Euro 2004. Soon after, he said he would not play for Barcelona while Frank Rijkaard remained manager.

Quaresma joined Porto in summer 2004 as part of the deal that sent Deco to Barcelona for €15 million plus Quaresma, valued at €6 million. He opened his account by scoring the only goal in a Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira win over Benfica, and also scored in a 2–1 UEFA Super Cup loss to Valencia. In his first season at Porto, he scored five league goals as the team finished runners-up. He converted his penalty in the 8–7 shootout victory over Once Caldas in the Intercontinental Cup in Yokohama.

On 1 September 2008, Inter Milan signed Quaresma for €18.6 million, with youngster Pelé moving to Porto. He scored on his Serie A debut with a trademark trivela in a 2–1 home win over Catania. But he struggled for regular starts under José Mourinho, who said Quaresma was a great talent but needed to become more tactically disciplined and learn to work for the team like Zlatan Ibrahimović. At season’s end, he received the Bidone d’oro award for the worst player in Italian football.

On transfer deadline day, 2 February 2009, he joined Chelsea on loan until 30 June, making his debut five days later in a 0–0 home draw with Hull City. On 7 March, he crossed for Alex to score against Coventry City in the FA Cup sixth round. Quaresma said the move restored his confidence, which he had lost at Inter. After returning to Inter despite the club’s attempts to sell him, he took the number 7 shirt from retired compatriot Luís Figo.

However, with the arrival of Goran Pandev, he featured little as Inter won the treble, making 11 league appearances without scoring.

On 13 June 2010, Beşiktaş paid €7.3 million for Quaresma, signing him to a three-year contract worth €3.5 million in the first season and €3.75 million in the next two. He scored his first goal for the club against Viktoria Plzeň in the Europa League third qualifying round. He was a key part of their Turkish Cup victory, opening the scoring in the 33rd minute of the final against İstanbul Başakşehir and being named man of the match in the 4–3 penalty win.

On 25 April 2011, he and teammate Nihat Kahveci argued on the pitch after Nihat was upset that Quaresma hadn’t passed. After a 3–1 Europa League round-of-16 first-leg loss to Atlético Madrid on 8 March 2012, Quaresma clashed with manager Carlos Carvalhal in the dressing room at half-time after being substituted, reportedly throwing water bottles and saying Carvalhal owed his job to him. The club suspended him indefinitely and released him on 20 December, six months before his contract ended, paying the remaining €1.48 million.

On 8 January 2013, Quaresma signed for Al Ahli in the UAE Pro League. He scored two league goals in ten appearances that season, and added another goal in his only match in a victorious UAE President’s Cup campaign. He was released in May 2013.

Quaresma returned to Porto on 1 January 2014, greeted by more than 10,000 fans.