Ricardo Pereira
Shirt number 21

Ricardo Pereira

Portugal full-back Ricardo Pereira established himself as a firm fans' favourite since joining the Club in 2018 and recently lifted the Sky Bet Championship trophy.
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Full Name
Ricardo Pereira
Nationality
Portugal
Date of Birth
6 October 1993
Height
5'9" (175cm)
Weight
11st 0lbs (70kg)
Professional Debut
4 August 2013

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Over Ricardo's time at the Club to date, since signing from FC Porto, the Portugal international has represented his country at the FIFA World Cup in 2018, built a reputation as one of the most talented players in the Premier League and helped steer the Club back to the top flight as champions.

Notable moments include his stunning winner against Manchester City in December 2018, while also netting in the Club's highest-ever home top-flight win, a 5-0 rout of Newcastle United in September 2019. In 2022, meanwhile, he struck the winner in City's quarter-final tie against PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Europa Conference League, having also starred in the Club's successful run towards lifting the Emirates FA Cup a year earlier.

Born in Lisbon, Ricardo’s football career began at Futebol Benfica in 2001, before his promising displays as a youngster saw him move to Sporting CP and then Vitória Guimarães in 2011.

It was in Guimarães that his senior career began, making his first-team debut in the Primeira Liga in April 2012 before winning the Portuguese Cup with the Minho Province side in 2012/13, scoring the winner in the cup final.

Ricardo signed for Portuguese giants Porto a year later and continued his development on loan with Nice for two seasons in Ligue 1 from 2015, during which time Claude Puel was managing the French side.

He made 50 league appearances for the French outfit, scoring two goals, and featured for them in the UEFA Europa League five times as he began to become a target for several of Europe's leading clubs.

The right-back, who can also operate as a winger, made 43 appearances for Porto in all competitions in 2017/18, including seven in the UEFA Champions League, as they lifted their 28th Portuguese league title.

Capped by Portugal for the first time in 2015, the speedy defender is strong both defensively and offensively, and has built an impressive reputation in Europe for his performances in recent seasons.

After representing his country at the World Cup, Ricardo immediately impressed for the Foxes, scoring a fantastic solo goal against Everton in October 2018 and missing just three league fixtures in 2018/19.  Named as the Club's Player and Players' Player of the Year at the conclusion of his maiden year as a Fox, he quickly became central to the side. 

The Lisbon-born star's stock continued to rise in 2019/20, on the other hand, with goals against Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle and West Ham United leading to victories on all three occasions.

Although an ACL injury hampered his progress, leading to a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the Portuguese returned in 2020/21 delivering typically impressive performances. In February 2022, he scored his first goal for the Club in two years, heading home against West Ham United.

He was also able to contribute as the Foxes lifted their second-ever FA Community Shield in August 2021, beating Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley Stadium, before showcasing his abilities again with a magnificent piece of skill to set up Jamie Vardy on the opening day of the next campaign. Across all competitions, Ricky P featured in 24 occasions in 2021/22.

While 2022/23 was a disappointing one for all concerned with Leicester City, following relegation, Ricardo, now one of the longest-serving players in the dressing room, captained the side on numerous occasions as the Foxes returned to the Premier League as champions. 

A full-back by trade, Enzo Maresca utilised the Portuguese international in a central midfield role to great effect, contributing three goals and three assists in his 39 league appearances, including a Goal of the Season contender away to Watford.

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