Ricardo Ferreira (footballer, born 1992)


Ricardo José Araújo Ferreira is a professional footballer who plays for Belenenses SAD as a central defender.

Club career

Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada to Portuguese parents, Ferreira started playing football in Toronto at the TFC Academy before transferring to FC Porto at the age of 15. He was included in the latter's 2010–11 UEFA Europa League squad list, but never appeared officially for the first team.
On 8 July 2011, Ferreira signed for A.C. Milan on a free transfer. He played his last year as a junior with the Rossoneri.
For 2012–13, Ferreira was loaned to fellow Italian side Empoli FC, in Serie B. He made his professional debut on 25 September 2012, coming on as a substitute for Vincent Laurini in the 29th minute of an eventual 0–2 away loss against Calcio Padova.
Subsequently, Ferreira competed in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, being a backup at S.C. Olhanense and F.C. Paços de Ferreira and often starting at S.C. Braga. He contributed with nine appearances in the latter club's quarter-final run in the 2015–16 edition of the UEFA Europa League, scoring in the group stage against FC Slovan Liberec but netting twice in his own goal in the 0–4 away loss to FC Shakhtar Donetsk.
On 3 January 2018, during the first half of the league fixture away to Boavista FC, Ferreira suffered another knee injury, being sidelined for the rest of the season. Exactly one year later, while appearing in a LigaPro match for the reserve team, he relapsed.
In May 2019, Braga announced Ferreira would be leaving the Estádio Municipal de Braga when his contract expired the following month. On 31 January 2020, the free agent signed with Belenenses SAD.

International career

Canadian-born, Ferreira chose to represent Portugal internationally, going on to win 22 caps at youth level. His only for the under-21 team came on 15 October 2012, in a 0–1 friendly loss against Ukraine.
Ferreira first appeared with the full side on 14 November 2017, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 friendly draw to the United States.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Braga