Player Profile: Ricardo Almeida, Portugal 2009
Posted on 12/09/2009
The captain of the portuguese team is the goalkeeper with the least goals received during the Homeless World Cup 2009.
Ricardo, 19, used to be beaten up by his father so he went to a shelter were he was housed and educated until July 2009. He claims that the hardest part about living on a shelter was how other kids used to spend the weekends with their families while he couldn't. He claims he was still very thankful because he was in a safe and stable place that allowed him to study. Ricardo lives in Lisbon and helps to install air conditioners. He earns a modest salary that allows him to play his small apartment.
The portuguese player was one of the lucky eight players chosen from all over Portugal to be part of this experience. His social manager, Gonçalo Jose Silva describes him as a responsible, focused and determined person who's self confidence makes the rest of the team feel secure. His team-mates trust him, even under pressure he stays cool and provides an outstanding performance. Overall, he is a very down to earth person, all very important qualities in a captain.
To Ricardo the Homeless World Cup is a fun experience because it allows him to interact with people from different cultures. He finds fascinating the bonding with people from all over the world and listening to their stories. During the matches it has been seen mutual support from Ricardo and his fellow teams from Malawi, South Africa, Costa Rica and Brazil.
So what's next for the goal keeper of Portugal? Well, he is going keep playing football but without a paycheck. To him football is a past time that he enjoys but doesn't want to make it a job for him. He is looking forward to go to college, get a new job and move in with his girlfriend.
Cynthia Guzman Tamares
Photo credit © Matteo Mangiarotti/FOTO UP AGENCY
