Ricardo Carvalho is a retired Portuguese professional footballer, born on May 18, 1978, in Amarante, Portugal. He played as a central defender and was known for his strong defensive skills and ability to read the game. Carvalho had a successful club career, playing for teams like Porto, Chelsea, and Real Madrid. During his international career, Carvalho represented the Portugal national team from 2003 to 2014, earning over 80 caps. He was part of the squad that reached the final of UEFA Euro 2004 and the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup 2006. His contributions to football have made him a respected figure in the sport.