Ricardo Ribeiro Fernandes (born 21 April 1978) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder for the club Moreirense.
He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 72 matches and eight goals during four seasons, representing in the competition Gil Vicente, Sporting, Porto and Académica. He also competed professionally in Cyprus, Ukraine, Israel and Greece, notably spending several years in the Cypriot First Division with five clubs and winning the national championship with APOEL in 2007.
Career Sporting, Porto Fernandes was born in Moreira de Cónegos, Guimarães. After a number of impressive performances for Gil Vicente FC, with whom he made his Primeira Liga debuts in the 2001–02 campaign,Gil Vicente frente ao Marco: Bom Ricardo Fernandes (Gil Vicente against Marco: Good Ricardo Fernandes); Record, 23 July 2001 (in Portuguese) he returned to Sporting CP who owned the player's rights; at the time, he was hailed as one of the country's brightest young prospects.
After only one season, Fernandes was signed by José Mourinho for his FC Porto side,Surprise swap between rivals; UEFA, 14 July 2003 which won the 2003–04 edition of the UEFA Champions League. He appeared sparingly for the club during his spell due to injury,Ricardo Fernandes com fractura (Ricardo Fernandes with fracture); Record, 17 December 2003 (in Portuguese)A selecção azul e branca (The white-and-blue selection); Público, 23 May 2004 (in Portuguese) playing only 19 games in all competitions as he was understudy to Portuguese international Deco, and left after another sole campaign.
APOEL After a spell with Académica de Coimbra, Fernandes was signed onto a three-year deal to APOEL FC in Cyprus.APOEL swoop to sign Fernandes; UEFA, 5 July 2005 In his first year, he became a crowd favorite with his accurate set pieces and creative passing,Chipre atrai mais de 20 jogadores portugueses (Cyprus attracts more than 20 Portuguese players); Público, 22 July 2007 (in Portuguese) scoring nine times with many assists and also helping his team to the domestic cup.
In his second season, Fernandes netted five league goals as APOEL were crowned national champions.APOEL inicia aventura europeia (APOEL start European adventure); UEFA, 17 July 2007 (in Portuguese)
Later years Fernandes returned to Cyprus on 17 June 2009, signing a three-year contract with Anorthosis Famagusta FC.Ricardo Fernandes no Anorthosis (Ricardo Fernandes to Anorthosis); UEFA, 18 June 2009 (in Portuguese) On 30 December 19 days after being released,Chipre: Ricardo Fernandes rescinde com o Anorthosis (Cyprus: Ricardo Fernandes cuts ties with Anorthosis); Mais Futebol, 11 December 2009 (in Portuguese) he joined another team in that country, AEL Limassol.
On 4 June 2010, 32-year-old Fernandes signed a contract with Israel's Hapoel Be'er Sheva AFC, reuniting with former AEL coach Nir Klinger. In January 2011, however, he returned to former Ukrainian club FC Metalurh Donetsk.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMoreirense1996–97Segunda Liga200000——20Freamunde1997–98Terceira Divisão000000——001998–99Segunda Divisão2670000——2671999–00Segunda Liga3191000——329Total5716100000005816Santa Clara2000–01Segunda Liga2831000——293Gil Vicente2001–02Primeira Liga3241000——334Sporting2002–03Primeira Liga61320020—113Porto2003–04Primeira Liga13110006010211Académica2004–05Primeira Liga2120000——212APOEL2005–06Cypriot First Division229104—40—36132006–07Cypriot First Division23581—42103682007–08Cypriot First Division19241—2010263Total641622600102209824Metalurh Donetsk2007–08Ukrainian Premier League1010000——1012008–09Ukrainian Premier League2780000——278Total37900000000379Anorthosis Famagusta2009–10Cypriot First Division91000041—132AEL Limassol2009–10Cypriot First Division1323100——163Hapoel Be'er Sheva2010–11Israeli Premier League1500000——150Metalurh Donetsk2010–11Ukrainian Premier League940000——942011–12Ukrainian Premier League1212000——141Total21520000000235Panetolikos2011–12Super League Greece8110———91Doxa Katokopias2012–13Cypriot First Division25630———2862013–14Cypriot First Division14510———155Total3911400000004311Omonia2013–14Cypriot First Division13020———150Doxa Katokopias2014–15Cypriot First Division27600———2762015–16Cypriot First Division13200———132Total40800000000408Trofense2016–17Campeonato Portugal281110———2911Felgueiras 19322017–18Campeonato Portugal25331———284Career total4679445100022330537107
Honours Freamunde Segunda Divisão B: 1998–99 Terceira Divisão: 1997–98
Santa Clara Segunda Liga: 2000–01
Sporting Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2002
Porto Primeira Liga: 2003–04 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2003 UEFA Champions League: 2003–04 Taça de Portugal runner-up: 2003–04
APOEL Cypriot First Division: 2006–07 Cypriot Cup: 2005–06
References
External links
Football-Lineups profile