Ricardo Jorge Rodrigues Pessoa (born 5 February 1982) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a right-back, currently a manager.
He spent most of his 17-year career with Portimonense, but also competed in the Primeira Liga with Vitória de Setúbal and Moreirense. He made a record 359 appearances in the Segunda Liga.
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 made ten appearances at that level over three seasons.
In the summer of 2005, Pessoa returned to the Segunda Liga 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 taking part 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 four goals (again mostly from penalties) from 29 appearances. On 25 May that year, he renewed his contract until 2020.
Pessoa retired at the end of the 2017–18 season, having featured sparingly as Portimonense retained their league status due to injury. During his 12-year spell in Portimão, he played 426 matches in all competitions.
International career Pessoa appeared once for Portugal at under-21 level, playing the last 14 minutes of the 2–2 friendly draw against Norway held in Guarda.
Career statistics +Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPortimonense2009–10Segunda Liga3062040003662010–11Primeira Liga2932010003232011–12Segunda Liga2852173003792013–14Segunda Liga41800530046112014–15Segunda Liga4651030005052015–16Segunda Liga4682040005282016–17Segunda Liga2940010003042017–18Primeira Liga90101100111Total258391012670029447Moreirense (loan)2012–13Primeira Liga232203000282Career total281411212970032249
Honours Vitória Setúbal Taça de Portugal: 2004–05
Portimonense Segunda Liga: 2016–17
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