When you hear the words "Ricardo", "hero" and "taking the gloves off" you think of one thing: Euro 2004. Only this time, it's not Ricardo we're talking about.
There's another Ricardo hero who has just taken off his gloves to "defend" his country.
In this article, the hero is Ricardo Nunes.
On the pitch, he was one of the protagonists of the historic Portuguese Cup won by Académica in 2012; but it was off the pitch that he achieved the best save of his life, beating cancer in 2019.
Ricardo - then with GD Chaves - was forced to put his career on hold.
Without giving up and always with the bravery and resilience that characterize a poveiro, the keeper managed to return to the pitch; and, after a few months, he even returned to Póvoa, to represent the club of his heart.
The shipwreck of the Sea Wolves
Lobos do Mar... "those who see you won't believe it"... Will there be "nets" to save you?
The historic Varzim Sport Clube is going through one of the most delicate moments in its history. After many years in the Segunda Liga, the club was relegated to Liga 3 in 2021/22.
Buffeted by financial difficulties and a lot of instability at the helm, the Lobos do Mar are finding it very difficult to get back on top.
This Sunday, in the 8th round of the League 3 promotion phase, against Lusitânia de Lourosa, Varzim's players protested over unpaid wages and were immobilized in the first minute of the game.
The Poveiros ended up winning 4-3, but what marked the game was captain Ricardo Nunes' "last dance" at the age of 41.
The goalkeeper, a native of Póvoa de Varzim, "took off his gloves" after more than 30 years to run for the presidency of the club and try to rescue it.
At the end of the meeting, the Alvi-Negros paid tribute to one of the greatest figures in the club's history.
In his speech, even before announcing that he would be a candidate for the presidency, Ricardo said, between the lines, that "Varzim is governable..." and forms great men and players: "This is where I grew up, this is where I became a man, this is where I learned everything I know (...) thank you very much".
"I'll always be grateful to this club (...) I'm very grateful to Varzim and I owe Varzim a lot. That's why today is the day to announce that I'm running for president of Varzim," said Ricardo, to the euphoria of the Varzim fans.
"This is hard, it's for the tough, but we can do it!" the candidate assured, appealing to no fan to give up on Varzim, before ending his speech with a rallying cry: Long live Varzim, long live!"
Throughout his career, Ricardo Nunes played for GD Fradelos, União de Leiria, Académica, FC Porto, Vitória "de Setúbal", Desportivo de Chaves and - of course - his Varzim club, where he played 166 games and... scored two goals.
Varzim are currently sixth in the Liga 3 "climbing league". With six games to go, the Lobos do Mar are seven points off the places that will allow them to compete for promotion to the second tier of Portuguese soccer
Póvoa's record is 21 Primeira Liga appearances - the last in 2002/03.
