Ricardo Carvalho

Ricardo Carvalho, born on May 18, 1978, is a distinguished Portuguese football coach and former player, currently serving as the assistant head coach of the Portugal national team. Renowned for his exceptional skills as a centre-back, Carvalho is celebrated as one of the finest defenders of his generation.

His professional journey commenced at Porto, where he honed his talents through loan spells at Leça, Vitória de Setúbal, and Alverca. Under the guidance of José Mourinho, Carvalho achieved remarkable success, securing both domestic and European trophies. In July 2004, he made a significant move to Chelsea for a fee of just under thirty million euros, where he quickly became a pivotal figure.

During his tenure with Chelsea, Carvalho's contributions were instrumental in the club's triumphs, including back-to-back Premier League titles and a League Cup in his initial seasons. His outstanding performance earned him the title of Players' Player of the Year in 2008. He played a crucial role in Chelsea's historic Double victory in 2010, clinching both the league and FA Cup.

In August 2010, after six successful years at Chelsea, Carvalho transferred to Real Madrid for a fee of six point seven million pounds, where he continued to excel under Mourinho's management, adding two more domestic honors to his impressive resume before joining Monaco in 2013.

On the international stage, Carvalho's career with the Portugal national team began on October 11, 2003, in a friendly against Albania. He represented his country in three UEFA European Championships and two FIFA World Cups, contributing to Portugal's victory in UEFA Euro 2016. Notably, he was a key player during Euro 2004, helping Portugal reach the final, and played a significant role in the 2006 World Cup, where the team finished fourth after an impressive semi-final run.