Biography
Who is Ricardo Horta?
Early life and beginnings
Ricardo Jorge Luz Horta was born in Sobreda, Portugal. He started his youth development at Benfica before moving to Vitória de Setúbal in 2011. He made his professional debut on April 7, 2013, coming on as a substitute during a match against Rio Ave. By the end of that campaign, he had appeared in six league games.
His first professional goal came on December 9, 2013, in a victory against Académica de Coimbra. He became a consistent starter during his second season with the club, participating in 28 matches and scoring seven times.
European club experience
In July 2014, Ricardo Horta signed a five-year contract with the Spanish club Málaga. He debuted in La Liga on August 23 in a home win over Athletic Bilbao. During his time in Spain, he made 56 total appearances and scored three goals. He eventually returned to Portugal, joining Braga on loan in 2016 before completing a permanent transfer.
He quickly established himself as a key member of the squad, scoring double-digit goals in multiple seasons. He helped the team secure fourth-place finishes in the league standings during his early years there.
Braga records and leadership
Ricardo Horta has become a central figure for Braga, setting numerous club records. In January 2020, he scored the decisive goal in the final of the Taça da Liga against Porto. Later that year, he helped the team win the Taça de Portugal. By 2021, he had surpassed the club's goal-scoring records in European competitions.
He also became the team captain following the departure of Fransérgio. During the 2021-22 season, he had his most productive campaign to date with 19 league goals. He also hit his 100th career goal during a match in 2022. He has extended his contract multiple times, committing to the club through 2028.
International career
Ricardo Horta has represented Portugal at various youth levels, including the under-19, under-20, and under-21 squads. He was part of the team that finished as runner-up at the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic. He made his debut for the senior national team in 2014, appearing against Albania.
After a long period away from the main squad, he was recalled in 2022 for the UEFA Nations League. He scored a goal against Spain in Seville during that competition. He was also selected for the final squad that traveled to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he started in a match against South Korea.
Family and relationships
Football is a significant part of the Horta family. Ricardo's younger brother, André Horta, is also a professional footballer. The two siblings have shared the pitch as teammates at several clubs, including Benfica, Vitória de Setúbal, and Braga. This shared professional history has allowed them to play together in both the Primeira Liga and various cup competitions.
Birthday and age
Ricardo Horta was born on September 15, 1994, which makes Ricardo 32 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Ricardo shares the date with 60 other famous people.
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