Mission Futsal for O Magico

Friday, Jul 10, 2015

Dubai

Ricardo Filipe da Silva Barga or Ricardinho, as he is best known, is on a mission. First appearing in the UAE for the inaugural Nad Al Sheba (NAS) Sports Tournament in 2013, Ricardinho’s sole objective was to win the trophy for his Fohood Zabeel team.

His team won in the inaugural year, and last year, Fohood Zabeel even managed to successfully defend their crown by beating star-studded Al Jokar in the final.

This time, Ricardinho has a hat-trick on his mind. But he knows there will be several pretenders to the NAS throne as some of the 16 teams have invested heavily on the best futsal talent from across the globe.

But winning the crown for a record third time hardly seems to be his worry. Ricardinho is confident Fohood Zabeel can repeat their success of two years in the final on July 10.

Having reached the pinacle of his sport, there are other more pressing matters that occupy his attention of late, and one of these is how he can help spread the futsal word more vigorously around the globe, more importantly, in this part of the world.

During his past few visits Ricardinho has witnessed first-hand the tremendous potential his sport has here. Last year, the Portuguese player brought his family along for the tournament. This year he has travelled alone intentionally as he wants to probe different avenues to push futsal as a sport.

“I would jump at the opportunity of playing in the UAE. I am a professional and should I get an offer to play in a club here, I would never say no,” Ricardinho told Gulf News after his team became the first one to book their place in the knockout stages at the Third Nad Al Sheba (NAS) Ramadan Sports Tournament.

“I have played all over the world, but the experience here changed me and affected me the most. Initially I thought it was one of those passing moments. But now after two years of coming to Dubai I’ve realised that this place has sort of grown on me. At first I was fascinated with what I saw and experienced. But now, I have fallen in love with the UAE and I consider this my home away from home,” he added.

Possibly the most famous European Futsal player of his generation, football has taken Ricardinho to quite a few places. He has had a phenomenal career since making his debut for Portugal in Brazil during the 2008 Fifa Futsal World Cup. Known as ‘O Magico’ (The Magician), Ricardinho was named the best player of the world by Futsal Planet in 2010.

Today, the 26-year-old commands respect. In the past seven years, Ricardinho has helped Portugal to the Uefa Futsal Euro 2010 final, won the Uefa Futsal Cup two months later with SL Benfica and then stepped out on an international odyssey that took him to Nagoya, CSKA Moskva and then back to Lisbon. He currently plays for Madrid outfit Inter Movistar.

In February 2012, he was in the Portugal team beaten by Italy in the Uefa Futsal Euro 2012 quarter-finals. But he did not allow that disappointment to stay with him. “Winning and losing is part of the profession for me. I always want to give off my best on court. Sometimes things don’t work out they way think they should. But life goes on,” he said.

“The plan is to allow life to go on, and part of this plan would be to ensure futsal grows in popularity around the world. For me Dubai would be such a good option. I would absolutely love it, and my family too likes it here,” he added.

“Who knows what the future holds? Futsal is my life and I will do anything so long as it has something to do with my sport.”

-Ends

Roll of Glory

At Benfica:

Uefa Futsal Cup 2009-’10

Liga Portuguesa - 5 times (2004-’05; 2006-’07; 2007-’08; 2008-’09; 2011-’12)

Taca de Portugal - 4 times (2004-’05; 2006-’07; 2008-’09; 2011-’12

Supertaca de Portugal: 2006, 2007, 2009

At Nagoya Oceans, Japan:

F-League - 2 times (2010-’11 and 2012-’13)

Arena’s Cup - 2 times (2010 and 2012)

At Inter Movistar, Spain: