Ricardo Gomes

Ricardo Gomes Raymundo (born 13 December 1964) is a Brazilian retired professional footballer and manager. As a player, he played as a central defender, in a 14-year professional career, for Fluminense (six years), Benfica (four) and Paris Saint-Germain (four). Gomes played for Brazil during the 1980s and 1990s, representing the nation at the 1990 World Cup and in two Copa América tournaments.

Subsequently, he went on to have a lengthy managerial career, in both his country and France.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Gomes started playing professionally with Fluminense Football Club. With the club, he won three consecutive state leagues, adding the 1984 Série A.

In the middle of 1988, he signed with S.L. Benfica of Portugal, alongside compatriot Valdo, a midfielder. Both were important elements in their debut season, as Benfica won the national championship, a feat which was again accomplished in 1991, with the defender scoring an astonishing 17 goals in both conquests combined, due to his superb aerial ability.

Both Gomes and Valdo left for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the middle of 1991, and both would return four years later to Lisbon, having won a total of four titles, including the 1993–94 first division title. In his second Benfica spell, he played sparingly, but still managed to score four times in the league, and helped the team win the domestic cup, before retiring from football in June 1996, at only 31.

During one decade, Gomes won 45 caps for Brazil. He appeared for the nation at two Copa América tournaments, winning the 1989 edition played on home soil, and was present at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where he played all the matches and minutes until being sent off in the 85th minute for a foul on José Basualdo, in the round of 16 0–1 loss against Argentina.

Gomes was also selected – again as captain – to the 1994 World Cup, but had to be removed from the squad in the last hour, due to injury. Additionally, he was part of the team that won the silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics.

Gomes immediately started coaching with Paris Saint-Germain, leaving the French side after two years, having finished second in the 1996–97 season and winning the following season's French Cup. He then returned to his country, managing seven teams until 2004, also having a spell with the Brazilian Olympic team.