Ricardo Fernandes (footballer, born 2002)

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Afonso and the second or paternal family name is Fernandes.

Ricardo Fernandes

Personal information
Full name	Ricardo Vaz Afonso Fernandes
Date of birth	(2002-08-28) 28 August 2002
Place of birth	Seixal, Portugal
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Left-back
Team information
Current team	União Santarém
Youth career
2010–2016	Arrentela
2016–2018	Pescadores
2018–2021	Casa Pia
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–2022	Casa Pia	2	(0)
2022	→ Real (loan)	3	(0)
2022–2024	Estoril	0	(0)
2024–	União Santarém	0	(0)
International career‡
2023–	São Tomé and Príncipe	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:24, 11 September 2023 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 03:24, 11 September 2023 (UTC)

Ricardo Vaz Afonso Fernandes (born 28 August 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Liga 3 club União Santarém. Born in Portugal, he plays for the São Tomé and Príncipe national team.

Professional career

Fernandes is a youth product of Arrentela and Pescadores, before moving to Casa Pia's youth academy in 2018. On 20 May 2021, he signed his first professional contract with Casa Pia. In the winter of 2022, he was loaned to Real in the Portuguese third division. He returned to Casa Pia for the 2022–23 season, as they were newly promoted to the Primeira Liga. Later that summer, he transferred to Estoril where he was assigned to their U23 side.

International career

Born in Portugal, Fernandes is of Santomean descent. He was called up to the São Tomé and Príncipe national team for a set of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches in September 2023.

Personal life

Fernandes' twin brother, Rogério, is also a professional footballer.