Ricardo (footballer, born 1971)

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is López and the second or maternal family name is Felipe.

Ricardo

200px Ricardo playing for Osasuna in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Ricardo López Felipe
Date of birth	(1971-12-30) 30 December 1971
Place of birth	Madrid, Spain
Height
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Japan (goalkeeper coach)
Youth career
	Atlético Madrid
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1991–1998	Atlético Madrid B	135	(0)
1991–1992	→ Ávila (loan)	15	(0)
1994–1997	Atlético Madrid	1	(0)
1998–2002	Valladolid	53	(0)
2002–2005	Manchester United	1	(0)
2003–2004	→ Racing Santander (loan)	34	(0)
2005–2012	Osasuna	189	(0)
2013	Osasuna	1	(0)
Total		429	(0)
International career
1989	Spain U18	2	(0)
2001–2002	Spain	2	(0)
Managerial career
2014–	Japan (goalkeeper coach)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ricardo López Felipe (born 30 December 1971), known simply as Ricardo, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Over the course of 15 seasons he played in 278 La Liga games, starting his career at Atlético Madrid without much impact, then representing mostly Valladolid (four seasons) and Osasuna (eight). He also spent two years with Manchester United in the Premier League.

Ricardo won two international caps for Spain and was part of their squad for the 2002 World Cup.

Club career

Atlético / Valladolid

Born in Madrid, Ricardo began his professional career at Atlético Madrid, working his way through the reserves and going on to represent the senior squad until 1998. Barred by José Francisco Molina, he only managed one first-team appearance which came during the 1996–97 season, a 3–2 away win against Real Zaragoza on 2 June 1997.

Subsequently, Ricardo was transferred to Real Valladolid, also in La Liga. He spent four years at the club, becoming first-choice in the 2001–02 campaign (all 38 matches played) while also being selected as a member of the Spanish squad for the 2002 World Cup, though he did not play in the finals.

Manchester United

On 30 August 2002, Ricardo joined English club Manchester United in a three-year deal worth £1.5 million. Signed to provide cover for the injured Fabien Barthez and the inexperienced Roy Carroll, he found first-team opportunities rare, appearing in only four UEFA Champions League matches and once in the Premier League. He marked his only Premier League appearance, against Blackburn Rovers on 19 April 2003, by conceding a penalty with his first touch after he fouled Andy Cole, but saved David Dunn's attempt in an eventual 3–1 win.

On 23 August 2003, Ricardo agreed to a loan transfer to Racing de Santander for 2003–04 season – the deal included an option to make transfer permanent the following June. On his return to Spain, Ricardo was quoted in the Spanish sports daily AS as saying:

"It's not a backward step. When I received the offer I was delighted to have the chance to return to Spain. I missed the Spanish league ... All I feel is gratitude toward Manchester. The club treated me very well. It was a lovely experience which was well worth it."

After helping Racing barely avoid top flight relegation, Ricardo returned to Manchester United and proclaimed his ambition to take the number one jersey from Barthez. However, he was never picked for the first team following the arrival of Tim Howard and Carroll's improvement.

Osasuna

Ricardo was eventually released by the club on a free transfer at the end of 2004–05. Subsequently he signed for CA Osasuna on a two-year deal, being the Navarrese outfit's automatic first-choice and making over 100 league appearances in his first three seasons; he also helped the team reach the semifinals of the UEFA Cup in his second season, making 12 appearances, but lost his job midway through 2008–09 to newly signed Roberto.

Ricardo regained his first-choice status in the following top division seasons, rarely missing a game for Osasuna even though he was approaching his 40's. In 2011–12 however, still under manager José Luis Mendilibar, he was demoted to as low as third-choice.

Ricardo came out of retirement in January 2013 to rejoin Osasuna as an emergency signing, after backup goalkeeper Asier Riesgo suffered a foot injury. He quit the game for good at the end of the season, stating "I don't quit football, football quits me".

Club Brugge

Recommended by head coach Juan Carlos Garrido, Ricardo joined Belgian team Club Brugge K.V. in June 2013, as a goalkeeper trainer. Near the end of October a player licence was sought out for him, as both the second and third goalkeeper were unavailable due to injury.

International career

Ricardo played twice for Spain, his debut coming on 14 November 2001, in a friendly match with Mexico.

In a testimonial match for Ferenc Puskás the following summer, a 1–1 draw against Hungary in Budapest, he received his second and final cap; in both cases, he came on as a substitute for Iker Casillas.

Honours

Atlético Madrid

• La Liga: 1995–96
• Copa del Rey: 1995–96

Manchester United

• Premier League: 2002–03

External links

• Ricardo profile at BDFutbol
• National team data
• Ricardo career statistics at Soccerbase
• Ricardo at National-Football-Teams.com
• Ricardo at Soccerway