Euro 2008 Player Profile: Ricardo Quaresma

Name: Ricardo Quaresma
Team: Portugal
Group: A; Czech Republic, Switzerland,Turkey
Caps (Goals): 20 (2) – as of May 15, 2008
DOB: September 26, 1983 (24 years old)
Position: Right wing (can play left too, but right footed)
Club Team: FC Porto (for now)

It’s often said that Ricardo Quaersma has got the same sort of talent as Cristiano Ronaldo. Which means: a lot.

He plays the same position (right wing, but also left or up front) wears the same number (7) and has a lot of the same tricks. The sort of tricks that make fullbacks wish they could call in sick for the day.

Here’s a comparison of what the two men did to various defenders in 2007/8:

Pretty similar, no? But the big difference is that C-Ron did it for Man Utd while R-Quar (as he may one day be known, or perhaps not) did it for Porto. Nothing wrong with the Portuguese Liga, but we all know it’s easier to look good there than in the Prem.

That’s partly to do with luck. Ronaldo got himself a big move from Sporting to Man Utd in 2001 where Alex Ferguson has nurtured him from a semi-effective trickster into a deadly goal machine. Quaresma got his big move from Sporting to Barcelona in 2003 but was in and out of the team and eventually fell out with Frank Rijkaard.

So while Ronaldo has gone from strength to strength, Quaresma was sent back to Portugal as a makeweight in the deal taking Deco from Porto to Barca.

It’s also to do with determination. While Quaresma has excelled at Porto, he’s probably stayed a little too long there because it’s easy for him to look good. He’s been burned by his Barcelona experience, but needs a new challenge next season. Any number of clubs are interested, and whether the move happens before or after the Euros is up to Porto.

But if he’s out to prove to potential suitors that he’s worth a big money gamble this summer, then just be glad you don’t have to mark him.

Click here for more Euro 2008 Player Profiles