FIFA World Cup™ Germany 2006 player's profile

Two-footed, good in the air, strong, and mobile, Ricardo Alberto Silveira de Carvalho is the consummate defender. Currently plying his trade for English champions Chelsea, the Portuguese international joined the junior ranks at FC Porto in 1996, having spent six years coming through the youth categories at Amarante Futebol Clube. The centre-back, 28 in May this year, spent his first few seasons at Porto farmed out on loan, despite receiving glowing reviews wherever he went.
His first season as a professional, in 1997/98, was served on loan at Portuguese minnows Leca, followed by further loan spells at Vitoria de Setubal and Alverca. It would be the 2001/02 season before Carvalho finally cemented his place in the Futebol Clube do Porto backline. With Porto legend Jorge Costa leaving for Charlton, Carvalho took full advantage, his performances earning him universal recognition and opening the doors to national team success.

The 2002/03 campaign would prove to be a defining year for Carvalho who, on top of helping Porto win the league title, the Portuguese Cup and the UEFA Cup, was selected for Portugal’s senior national side for the first time.

Golden year
The glory train showed no signs of slowing down in 2003/04, with Carvalho playing in every minute of Porto’s UEFA Champions League triumph. In the squad for Portugal’s UEFA Euro 2004 campaign, Carvalho ousted veteran centre-back Fernando Couto after just one game. His performances earned him a place in the tournament’s all-star squad as his reputation as a complete defender continued to grow. Despite Portugal’s heartbreaking defeat to Greece in the final, 2004 ended on a high for Carvalho who was voted the continent’s best defender at the European Football Awards.

On the back of Porto’s UEFA Champions League win, former coach Jose Mourinho moved swiftly to add Carvalho to a Chelsea squad brimming with international superstars. Carvalho did not disappoint, underlining his quality with a series of commanding displays and making short work of adapting to the hustle and bustle of the Premiership.

A broken toe kept him out of action for a two-month spell during the 2004/05 campaign, but Carvalho was back in time to help Chelsea close in on the title, his third domestic league crown in as many years.

Having firmly established himself as a key figure in a world-class Chelsea side, Carvalho’s skill and defensive solidity have a vital role to play in Portugal’s bid for FIFA World Cup™ glory.

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UEFA Champions League 2005-06 player's profile

Ricardo Carvalho is almost unbeatable in the air and provides a regular threat going forward, making him one of the bedrocks of Chelsea FC's recent successes.

Club
The defender went on a number of lengthy loan spells before he was fully integrated into the FC Porto squad after joining the club in 1997/98. When Jorge Costa left on loan in 2001, the defender seized his opportunity, playing 25 games in the league and ten more in European competition. He ended the 2002/03 season with winners' medals in the championship, Portuguese Cup and UEFA Cup before enhancing his burgeoning reputation the following campaign by playing all 1170 minutes as Porto won the UEFA Champions League against the odds. He joined Chelsea for €30m in July 2004 as a replacement for Marcel Desailly and has helped bring stability to the club's defence, winning Premiership titles in both of his first seasons in England and also lifting the English League Cup in 2004/05.

National team
Ricardo Carvalho's international debut against Albania in October 2003 was his only appearance before being named in the UEFA EURO 2004™ squad. After forcing his way into the starting lineup he embarked on a superb series of performances that helped his nation to the final, where they lost to Greece. He was equally impressive as Portugal powered their way to the semi-finals at the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, eventually finishing fourth.

Did you know?
Ricardo Carvalho started the 2006/07 campaign looking for a fifth consecutive domestic league title.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

UEFA EURO 2004™ player's profile

Ricardo Carvalho is almost unbeatable in the air and provides an extra attacking option for his side with his regular forays forward, which is why Chelsea FC paid FC Porto €30m for his services in July 2004.

National team
His full international against Albania in October 2003 was his only appearance before being named in the UEFA EURO 2004™ squad, though he then played two warm-up friendlies. But after watching the opening defeat by Greece from the bench he was called into the starting lineup and began a superb series of performances that helped his nation to the final and himself into the All-Star Squad.

Club
Although he joined FC Porto in 1997/98 only two years into his professional career, which had started at FC Leça, Ricardo Carvalho was forced to prove himself on a number of lengthy loan spells before he could be fully integrated into the Porto squad.

1997: After playing only once for Porto, Ricardo Carvalho moved on to Vitória Setúbal, where he was able to showcase his skills in the top flight on a regular basis. He returned to Porto but was sent out on loan to FC Alverca in 2000/01 for another season.

2001: With central defensive stalwart Jorge Costa having joined English club Charlton Athletic FC on a six-months loan, Ricardo Carvalho seized his opportunity at Porto. He played 25 games in the league and ten more in European competition to demonstrate that he was far more than just a squad player. Then ended the 2002/03 season with winner's medals in the championship, Portuguese Cup and UEFA Cup, where he played all 120 minutes against Celtic FC.

2003/04: Enhanced an already burgeoning reputation by playing all 1170 minutes of football as Porto won the Champions League, beating AS Monaco FC 3-0 in the Gelsenkirchen final. He scored twice in the SuperLiga, both winners, as the Dragons retained the title, although they lost the Portuguese Cup final to SL Benfica. Joined Chelsea as a replacement for Marcel Desailly in July.

Did you know?
Ricardo Carvalho was just 20 years old when he won his first national title.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.