Ricardo Quaresma

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Quaresma's first spell at Porto began in the summer of 2004, arriving as part of a swap deal that saw Deco move to Barcelona. He started immediately with impact, scoring the only goal in a Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira victory over Benfica and netting against Valencia in the UEFA Super Cup. That debut season saw him score five league goals as Porto finished runners-up, culminating in an Intercontinental Cup triumph in Yokohama where he converted his penalty in an 8–7 shootout win against Once Caldas. His second return on January 1, 2014, was greeted by over 10,000 fans at training. He shone in Europe, scoring a consolation goal against Sevilla and setting up a goal while scoring himself against Napoli. A defining moment came on April 15, 2015, when he scored twice in the first ten minutes to lead Porto to a stunning 3–1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere at Estádio do Dragão shifted palpably whenever Ricardo Quaresma received the ball. During his initial tenure from 2004, he was the centerpiece of an attacking unit that finished as league runners-up and conquered the Intercontinental Cup in Japan. His technical brilliance was on full display early on, scoring against Benfica in the Supertaça and Valencia in the UEFA Super Cup. Years later, his return in 2014 reignited that magic. On February 20, he scored against Eintracht Frankfurt, but it was April 15, 2015, that etched his name into history. Facing Bayern Munich in a Champions League quarter-final first leg, Quaresma netted twice within the opening ten minutes, including a penalty, to secure a 3–1 lead. Even in the Europa League, he found the back of the net against Sevilla in a quarter-final loss. His ability to bend the ball around defenders with his right foot outside became his signature, turning tight matches into showcases of individual genius.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Quaresma's Porto career, there are two distinct chapters to study. The first began in summer 2004 when he signed for a fee valued at €6 million as Deco departed. In his first year alone, he scored five league goals and won the Intercontinental Cup via a penalty shootout victory over Once Caldas. After spells at Barcelona, Inter Milan (where he received the Bidone d'oro award), Chelsea, and Beşiktaş, he returned to Porto on January 1, 2014. This second era was marked by high-level European performances: scoring against Eintracht Frankfurt, netting and assisting against Napoli, and delivering a brace against Bayern Munich in 2015. He also scored a trademark trivela goal against Fenerbahçe during his subsequent stint at Beşiktaş, but his Porto legacy is defined by those two spells where he consistently delivered flair and crucial goals against top European opposition.

Did You Know?

• Quaresma scored the only goal in a win against Benfica in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira during his first match for Porto.
• He successfully converted his penalty attempt in an 8–7 shootout victory over Once Caldas to win the Intercontinental Cup in Yokohama.
• In a Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 15, 2015, he scored twice in the first ten minutes to help Porto defeat Bayern Munich 3–1.
• He returned to Porto on January 1, 2014, where over 10,000 fans greeted him at training upon his arrival for his second spell.
• During his time at Inter Milan between his two Porto spells, he was awarded the Bidone d'oro for the worst footballer in the Italian top division.