Ricardo Quaresma

Ricardo Quaresma

Quaresma playing against Argentina, 9 February 2011
Personal information
Full name	Ricardo Andrade Quaresma Bernardo
Date of birth	26 September 1983 (1983-09-26)
Place of birth	Lisbon, Portugal
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position	Winger
Club information
Current club	Beşiktaş
Number	7
Youth career
2000–2001	Sporting CP
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2001–2003	Sporting CP	59	(8)
2003–2004	Barcelona	22	(1)
2004–2008	Porto	114	(24)
2008–2010	Internazionale	24	(1)
2009–2010	→ Chelsea (loan)	4	(0)
2010–	Beşiktaş	32	(5)
National team‡
2003–	Portugal	31	(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 8 December 2011. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 October 2011

Ricardo Andrade Quaresma Bernardo (born 26 September 1983) is a Portuguese footballer of partial Romani descent who currently plays as a winger for Turkish Süper Lig side Beşiktaş J.K and the Portuguese national team. Quaresma began his career at Sporting Clube de Portugal, and has also played for FC Barcelona, FC Porto, Internazionale, and Chelsea. He is popular for incorporating a repertoire of tricks into his style of play, including the rabona and trivela.

Club career

Sporting CP

Whilst a trainee at Sporting's famed academy, Quaresma made his professional debut during the 2000–01 season, playing 15 games for the B squad. In the next season, he was promoted to the senior squad by then club manager László Bölöni, playing 28 matches and scoring three goals and was a key player in Sporting's league and cup double triumph.

2002–03 was a poor season for Sporting, finishing third in the league, which prompted speculation about Quaresma's future at the club.

Barcelona

Quaresma was then sold to FC Barcelona for a reported €6 million and loan of Fábio Rochemback. His stint with the Catalan side could be best described as unlucky.^{[citation needed]} In his debut season, he made 10 starts and 11 substitute appearances, scoring only one goal. In the final weeks of the season, he injured his right foot badly, forcing him to miss the 2004 UEFA Under-21 Championship.^{[citation needed]}

During UEFA Euro 2004, he announced his refusal to play for Barça as long as Frank Rijkaard was in charge, incurring the interest of many other clubs.^{[citation needed]}

Porto

Quaresma signed for FC Porto in the summer of 2004 when they sold Deco for a fee of €15 million cash, plus Quaresma's playing rights, which were evaluated at the time at €6 million.

Quaresma started his campaign with Porto on a high note, scoring in his debut game in the 2004 UEFA Super Cup^{[citation needed]} and netting the only goal in Porto's triumph against Benfica in the Portuguese SuperCup.^{[citation needed]} He went on to score five goals in 32 league matches and was ever-present in Porto's run to the first knockout round of the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League.^{[citation needed]} He also contributed to Porto's dramatic win against Once Caldas in the 2004 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, scoring in a thrilling penalty shoot-out which ended 8–7 in Porto's favour.^{[citation needed]}

Quaresma was heavily criticised during his first year with Porto for being selfish and frequently trying to dribble past defenders rather than making a simple pass. He gradually began to incorporate his teammates into the game, however, and by his third year with Porto, he had become a fan favorite and a key component of the squad. His sublime performances in both the Primeira Liga and the Champions League drew interest from various clubs,^{[citation needed]} and despite having a contract with Porto running until 2011, he soon found himself being transferred to a major club for the second time in his career.

Internazionale

Quaresma playing for Inter

On 1 September 2008, Quaresma signed for Italian champions Internazionale on a cash/player exchange fee of €18.6 million with young Portuguese midfielder Pelé joining Porto. He played his first game for the club in a friendly against Locarno, playing on the left wing.^{[citation needed]} The game ended 2–2, and Quaresma was voted man of the match following an impressive performance.^{[citation needed]}

He was decisive in his first Serie A match against Catania, with one of his trademark trivelas resulting in a Giuseppe Mascara own goal. The game finished 2–1 for Inter.

Quaresma, however, found opportunities in the Inter XI limited as former Inter boss José Mourinho stated:

"He is a great talent, but the joy I have at seeing the way Ibra [ Zlatan Ibrahimović ] 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."

His time in Italy was not considered a success, with him being given the Bidone d'Oro award for the worst footballer in Serie A for 2008.

Chelsea

Quaresma's omission from Inter's squad for the knockout stage of the 2008–09 Champions League led to speculation of him leaving the club. On 2 February 2009, transfer deadline day, he signed on loan for Premier League club Chelsea, until the end of the season. He was given the #18 shirt. On 7 February, he made his debut for Chelsea against Hull City.^{[citation needed]} Quaresma was mostly used as a substitute, making noticeable contributions, including providing the cross for Alex to score against Coventry City.^{[citation needed]} After a disappointing start to life at the San Siro, Quaresma claimed his move to Chelsea had restored his confidence after he struggled to impress José Mourinho at Inter. The 25-year-old Portuguese international told The Star on 29 March 2009, "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."^{[citation needed]} Subsequently, with Guus Hiddink's temporary position as Chelsea manager, Quaresma found it hard to find space in the Chelsea starting XI squad, and he returned to Inter at the end of his loan.

Return to Internazionale

Quaresma at an Inter training session

Quaresma returned to Inter after his loan at Chelsea ended. Despite desperate attempts made by Inter to offload him, Quaresma did not manage to attract any interest. With the retirement of Luís Figo, Quaresma inherited the #7 shirt, and José Mourinho said he would give Quaresma another chance for the new season. Quaresma made his debut for the new season against Bari, coming on as a substitute for Patrick Vieira. Despite the odd impressive performance, he continued to find first team football hard to come by. After the arrival of Goran Pandev, Quaresma did not feature in Mourinho's plans on their quest for the treble.

Beşiktaş

On 13 June 2010, Quaresma joined Beşiktaş J.K. in Turkey after long and arduous negotiations with Inter. Beşiktaş paid a €7.3 million for his transfer. He signed three-year contract, which entitled him to €3.5 million in the first season and €3.75 million in the next two seasons. He scored his first goal for the club against Viktoria Plzeň in the UEFA Europa League Third qualifying round. Quaresma was an integral part of the side during their run to the Türkiye Kupası final. Quaresma opened the scoring for Beşiktaş in the 33rd minute and won Man of the Match honors as his side won 4-3 in penalties, 2-2 after extra time.

International career

Quaresma taking a set piece for Portugal.

A UEFA Under-17 Championship winner with Portugal in 2000,^{[citation needed]} Quaresma made his full international debut for the Portuguese national team in June 2003, in a friendly against Bolivia.^{[citation needed]}

Poor form during his time with FC Barcelona and an injury prevented Quaresma from taking part in the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, Euro 2004, and the 2004 Olympics.^{[citation needed]} Sparkling displays, however, with FC Porto won him a role in Portugal's 2006 World Cup qualification campaign and the winger helped his country to a vital 2–0 win against Slovakia.^{[citation needed]} Quaresma, however, was left out of the 23-man squad named by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to represent Portugal in the 2006 World Cup.^{[citation needed]} He was later called up to play in a friendly game against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium, where Portugal won 2–0. Quaresma provided two assists and was named man of the match.^{[citation needed]} On 24 March 2007, Quaresma scored his first goal for the national team in Portugal's 4–0 win in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Belgium.^{[citation needed]} He was also a member of the 23-man squad for Portugal in Euro 2008, but appeared only sparingly for Scolari's Portugal during the tournament; he did start in the Portugal secondary team in a third group stage match, a 2–0 loss to host nation Switzerland where nine of the 11 regular team starters were rested.^{[citation needed]}

Quaresma was not called up for Portugal's 2010 World Cup campaign.

On 31 August 2010, Quaresma was called to play in UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Cyprus and Norway to replace the injured Cristiano Ronaldo.^{[citation needed]} On 3 September, Quaresma led Portugal against Cyprus in an entertaining encounter that ended 4-4. He was named man of the match after two years of absence from the national team.^{[citation needed]}

Career statistics

Last updated 3 December 2011

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Portugal			League		Taça de Portugal		Taça da Liga		Europe		Total
2001–02	Sporting CP	Portuguese Liga	28	3	6	2	-	-	2	0	36	5
2002–03			31	5	2	0	-	-	2	0	35	5
Spain			League		Copa del Rey		Copa de la Liga		Europe		Total
2003–04	Barcelona	La Liga	22	1	0	0	-	-	4	0	26	1
Portugal			League		Taça de Portugal		Taça da Liga		Europe		Total
2004–05	Porto	Portuguese Liga	32	5	0	0	-	-	8	0	40	5
2005–06			29	5	1	0	-	-	6	0	36	5
2006–07			26	6	0	0	-	-	8	2	34	8
2007–08			27	8	3	1	0	0	8	2	38	11
Italy			League		Coppa Italia		League Cup		Europe		Total
2008–09	Internazionale	Serie A	13	1	0	0	0	0	6	0	19	1
England			League		FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
2008–09	Chelsea	Premier League	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Italy			League		Coppa Italia		League Cup		Europe		Total
2009–10	Internazionale	Serie A	11	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	13	0
Turkey			League		Türkiye Kupası		League Cup		Europe		Total
2010–11	Beşiktaş	Süper Lig	21	3	8	3	-	-	10	5	39	11
2011–12			10	1	-	-	-	-	5	2	15	3
Total	Portugal		179	36	4	1	0	0	33	4	216	41
	Spain		22	1	0	0	-	-	4	0	26	1
	Italy		24	1	0	0	0	0	8	0	32	1
	England		4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
	Turkey		31	4	8	3	-	-	15	7	54	14
Career total			260	42	13	4	0	0	60	11	333	57

International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	24 March 2007	Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal	Belgium	4–0	Win	UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
2.	6 February 2008	Letzigrund, Zürich, Switzerland	Italy	1–3	Loss	Friendly
3.	11 June 2008	Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland	Czech Republic	3–1	Win	UEFA Euro 2008

Honours

Club

Sporting

• Primeira Liga: 2001–02
• Taça de Portugal: 2002
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2002

Porto

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

Chelsea

• FA Cup: 2008–09

Internazionale

• UEFA Champions League: 2009–10
• Serie A: 2008–09, 2009–10
• Coppa Italia: 2009–10

Beşiktaş

• Turkish Cup: 2010–11

International

• UEFA Under-17 Championship: 2000

Individual

• Primeira Liga Player of the Year: 2006

External links

• Ricardo Quaresma on Playerhistory.com
• Ricardo Quaresma's profile, career timeline and detailed statistics Football Database
• Ricardo Quaresma career stats at Soccerbase
• Ricardo Quaresma Turkey Fan Clup
• Turkish Football Federation Football Database