Ricardo Fernandes (footballer, born April 1978)

Ricardo Ribeiro Fernandes (born 21 April 1978) is a Portuguese former footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 72 matches and eight goals during four seasons, representing in the competition Gil Vicente, Sporting, Porto and Académica. He also competed professionally in Cyprus, Ukraine, Israel and Greece, notably spending several years in the Cypriot First Division with five clubs and winning the national championship with APOEL in 2007.

Sporting / Porto
Fernandes was born in Moreira de Cónegos, Guimarães. After a number of impressive performances for Gil Vicente FC, with whom he made his Primeira Liga debuts in the 2001–02 campaign, he returned to Sporting CP who owned the player's rights; at the time, he was hailed as one of the country's brightest young prospects.

After only one season, Fernandes was signed by José Mourinho for his FC Porto side, which won the 2003–04 edition of the UEFA Champions League. He appeared sparingly for the club during his spell due to injury, playing only 19 games in all competitions as he was understudy to Portuguese international Deco, and left after another sole campaign.

APOEL
After a spell with Académica de Coimbra, Fernandes was signed on a lucrative three-year deal to APOEL FC in Cyprus. In his first year, he became an instant crowd favorite with his accurate set pieces and creative passing, scoring nine times with a remarkable number of assists and also helping his team to the domestic cup.

In his second season, Fernandes netted five league goals as APOEL were crowned national champions.

Later years
Fernandes returned to Cyprus on 17 June 2009, signing a three-year contract with Anorthosis Famagusta FC. On 30 December, 19 days after being released, he joined another team in that country, AEL Limassol.

On 4 June 2010, 32-year-old Fernandes signed a contract with Israel's Hapoel Be'er Sheva AFC, reuniting with former AEL coach Nir Klinger. In January 2011, however, he returned to former Ukrainian club FC Metalurh Donetsk.

Honours
Freamunde
 * Segunda Divisão B: 1998–99
 * Terceira Divisão: 1997–98

Santa Clara
 * Segunda Liga: 2000–01

Sporting
 * Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2002

Porto
 * Primeira Liga: 2003–04
 * Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2003
 * UEFA Champions League: 2003–04
 * Taça de Portugal: Runner-up 2003–04

APOEL
 * Cypriot First Division: 2006–07
 * Cypriot Cup: 2005–06