In 2004, Brazilian international Ricardinho joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer. Although club legend Juninho had suggested him to Boro manager Steve McClaren, the midfielder would go on to become a legendary failure on Teesside.
Having abandoned his previous contract with São Paulo to explore a move abroad, Ricardinho signed a free transfer to Middlesbrough in early February 2004 on a contract that lasted until the end of the season.
During this time, which was a golden age for Teesside football, McClaren’s team was loaded with some genuinely elite football players, and Boro supporters were regularly dazzled at Riverside Stadium.
On February 29, Boro defeated Bolton Wanderers in the League Cup, opening the door to European competition for the first time in the club’s history. Little did they realise it at the time, but they were just a few weeks away from winning their first major prize.
At the time, it wasn’t shocking to see a player with Ricardinho’s profile join the team, but it was surprising to watch how his Middlesbrough career would develop.
Ricardinho’s pedigree
Middlesbrough looked to have added superb player to their squad
After beginning his professional career in Brazil with Paraná Clube, Ricardinho played for Bordeaux in France for a season before to his own country to join Corinthians.
Between 1998 and 1999, he won two league titles with the São Paulo-based team. In 2000, he defeated Vasco da Gama, another Brazilian team, on penalties to win the first FIFA Club World Cup.
He had gained international prominence by then as well, and on March 28, 2000, he made his Brazil debut in a 0-0 tie with Colombia. He would be a member of the Brazil team that would go on to win the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan.
Following his World Cup victory, Ricardinho moved to São Paulo in 2002. He stayed there until 2004, when he terminated his contract to join Middlesbrough.
He was obviously eager to make the transfer as well.”I’ve been looking to play in England for two years, so this is very exciting for me,” Ricardinho stated following the confirmation of his transfer to Boro.
“My contract only lasts until the end of the season, but I want to make an impression on the management so I can get a longer deal. I’m thrilled to be joining Middlesbrough. I want to be available for selection on Saturday, but I need to train for five or six days to reach the proper level of fitness.”
| Ricardinho’s career stats – per Transfermarkt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Corinthians | 85 | 17 | 7 |
| Santos | 85 | 27 | 1 |
| Besiktas | 68 | 11 | 14 |
| Atletico Mineiro | 52 | 9 | 6 |
| São Paulo | 38 | 2 | 3 |
| Bordeaux | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| Bahia | 21 | 0 | 3 |
| Paraná Clube | 15 | 1 | |
The Middlesbrough manager was clearly pleased to have him. “He has 10 caps and has played at the top clubs,” McClaren stated about Ricardinho upon his arrival. “I saw him, and he comes highly recommended by Juninho and Doriva, and we’re a little short in center midfield.
“He’s got a good pedigree, and it’s a little bit like the Doriva one, which we signed at the 11th-hour last January – and I hope he’s as successful as Doriva has been for us.”
Despite Juninho recommendation, Ricardinho flops
Ricardinho, who reunited with Brazil teammates Juninho and Doriva, appeared to be joining Middlesbrough at an ideal point in the club’s history.
McClaren’s team was loaded with top-tier talent, and the attacking-minded midfielder appeared to be the next Samba sensation to enchant the Riverside spectators.
But that never occurred. In reality, not a single moment of Ricardinho greatness occurred while wearing a Middlesbrough shirt, which continues to perplex and frustrate Boro fans.
He played one reserve game for the club against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he never made a competitive senior appearance for the Teessiders. He would only see first-team action once, on the bench in a Premier League encounter against Chelsea.
Middlesbrough released Ricardinho in April 2004, because his lack of playing time became too much for the extremely skilled Brazilian to handle.
“He has been unlucky. McClaren explained that he was brought in to cover for injuries and suspensions, but the midfield players performed admirably.
“He hasn’t had the chances he’d hoped for so we’ve mutually agreed he should move on.” Ricardinho was 27 years old when he was released by Boro, thus he was still in the prime of his career, making his Riverside nightmare even more unfathomable.
This is one of the oddest moves in Middlesbrough and football history. In two years, he went from winning a World Cup with Brazil to representing Middlesbrough’s reserves.
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