Ricardo Pessoa


Ricardo Jorge Rodrigues Pessoa is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a right back.
He spent most of his 17-year professional career with Portimonense, but also competed in the Primeira Liga with Vitória de Setúbal and Moreirense. He made a record 358 appearances in LigaPro.

Club career

Born in Vendas Novas, Évora District, Pessoa started his professional career with Vitória de Setúbal, being sparingly used during his four-year spell with the Sado River club. He played 20 games as it returned to the Primeira Liga in 2004 after one year of absence, but only amassed ten appearances in that level in three seasons combined.
In the summer of 2005, Pessoa returned to the second division and signed for Portimonense SC, being an undisputed starter from the beginnings and also eventually gaining captaincy. In the 2009–10 campaign, he scored six goals– whilst featuring in all 30 league matches – as the Algarve team returned to the top flight after 20 years.
Aged 35, Pessoa managed another promotion with his main club in 2017, contributing with four goals from 29 appearances. On 25 May of that year, he renewed his contract until 2020.
Pessoa retired at the end of the 2017–18 season, having contributed sparingly as Portimonense retained their league status due to injury. During his 12-year spell in Portimão, he played 426 matches across all competitions.

International career

Pessoa played once for Portugal at under-21 level, featuring the last 14 minutes of the 2–2 friendly draw against Norway held in Guarda.

Career statistics


Honours

Vitória Setúbal
Portimonense