Ricardo Oliveira

Ricardo Oliveira (born May 6, 1980 in São Paulo) is a Brazilian football (soccer) who currently plays as a striker.

Club

Portuguesa

Oliveira began his career at Associação Portuguesa de Desportos scoring 23 goals in 46 appearances for the club before moving on to Santos Futebol Clube.

Santos

Oliveira scored 4 goals in 14 league appearances during his brief stint at Santos Futebol Clube before moving on to Valencia CF. Oliviera played 34 matches for Santos Futebol Clube overall, scoring 22 goals, many of which came in the Copa Libertadores.

Valencia

Under the guidance of Rafael Benítez, Oliveira scored 8 La Liga goals in 21 games, including a fantastic long range effort against FC Barcelona. After only one season, along with UEFA Cup and La Liga medals, he moved on to Real Betis.

Real Betis

Oliveira moved to Real Betis in 2004. He scored 22 La Liga goals in 37 appearances, and also won the Copa del Rey final against CA Osasuna, scoring the first goal as Real Betis's 2-1 win. Oliveira scored his first official UEFA Champions League goal against R.S.C. Anderlecht, following two goals, including a fantastic solo effort against AS Monaco FC in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. Due to injury Oliveira made only 9 La Liga appearances in his second season at Real Betis although he did scored 4 goals.
Due to knee ligament damage sustained against Chelsea F.C. in a UEFA Champions League, Oliveira moved on loan to São Paulo Futebol Clube in 2006 in a bid to gain a place in Brazil national football team's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad. Prolonged recovery time meant Oliveira never made it but he did continue to compete for São Paulo Futebol Clube in the league at the Copa Libertadores until 10 August 2006.

São Paulo

Following his loan spell to São Paulo Futebol Clube, Oliveira returned to Real Betis on 21 August, nine days later than he was requested which caused controversy among the Real Betis faithful and its board. The delay was caused by an unplanned schedule change made by Conmebol, which postponed the Copa Libertadores final match in one week, and his contract was due on the day after the previous final match date. Oliveira wanted to play on the decisive match and tried to reach an agreement with Betis, even with a special allowance from FIFA, but the Spanish team would not cooperate and he was not able to play on the biggest match of his career. Since his time with Betis, he has been fined multiple times. First, for the breach of his contract. Then, for returning to Betis late (after he played for the Brazil international team), and the last one for having a medical test with AC Milan without authorization.

A.C. Milan

Oliveira signed for A.C. Milan on 31 August 2006. He had already agreed to join Milan nearly a week before for ₤10 million, but Betis president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera increased his asking price and made several demands, because he believed Oliveira had debts with the club he yet had to clear; he later decided to fine Oliveira for leaving to Milan without permission. The final price was ₤18 million, but Milan balked at having to spend more money than they originally planned, and decided to offer their experienced midfielder Johann Vogel as an alternate to the last ₤3 million. However, on hearing Milan's offer, Lopera decided that Milan should include Vogel and pay up the ₤18 million anyway. This outraged the Milan management, but Oliveira threatened to refuse to play should Lopera not let him go. As a result, both sides came to an agreement in which Oliveira was purchased by Milan for ₤15 million plus Vogel, along with the stipulation that Milan also had to play a match against Real Betis in 2007.

Oliveira signed a five year contract, and made his debut in the second half of Milan's 2006-07 opening-day match with S.S. Lazio, heading past keeper Angelo Peruzzi from the goalline. However, he netted only twice more after that for the remainder of the season, finishing with a disappointing three scores in 22 Serie A appearances, in addition to two goals during Milan's Coppa Italia campaign. He had spent most of the season under the stress of the October 2006 kidnapping of his sister, Maria Lourdes, who was released unharmed on March 12, 2007.

Real Zaragoza

On July 14, 2007 he moved on a season long loan to Real Zaragoza, who have an option to purchase him for an agreed price. he started very impressively scoring in each of his first two league matches.

Country

Oliveira made his debut for the Brazil national football team against the Catalonia national football team on 25 May 2004, actually scoring in the match as Brazil won 5-1. However, that match was not considered an official friendly match by FIFA. He was subsequently included in Brazil's squad for Copa América 2004 and won his first cap on 8 July 2004 against Paraguay national football team. During the event, he also scored his first goal for Brazil in a quarter-final match against Mexico national football team on 18 July 2004. Brazil then went on to win the cup.

Since then, Oliveira became a regular in the Brazil team as a cover for Ronaldo, Adriano Leite Ribeiro and Robinho. He was also included in the squad for the 2005 Confederations Cup. He was expected to be a part of Brazil's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad until he suffered Ligament Knee damage on 1 November 2005. He recovered early but failed to win a place on the squad. After a 1-year absence from the national team, Brazil's new coach Dunga recalled him for a friendly match against Switzerland national football team on 15 November 2006.

Honours

International Level

- Copa America - 2004 - With Brazil national football team.
- Confederation Cup - 2005 - With Brazil national football team.

Club Level

- La Liga - 2004 - With Valencia CF
- UEFA Cup - 2004 - With Valencia CF
- Copa del Rey - 2005 - With Real Betis
- UEFA Champions League - 2007 - With A.C. Milan

Personal

- Best striker during the Copa Libertadores in 2003.