Ricardinho (Paralympic footballer)

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Steinmetz and the second or paternal family name is Alves.

Ricardo Steinmetz Alves (born 15 December 1988) is a Brazilian five-a-side football player.

Ricardinho

Personal information
Full name	Ricardo Steinmetz Alves
Born	(1988-12-15) 15 December 1988 (age 36) Osório, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Sport
Country	Brazil
Sport	Blind football (5-a-side football)
Medal record Men's Five-a-side football Representing  Brazil Summer Paralympics 2008 Beijing Men's 2012 London Men's 2016 Rio de Janeiro Men's 2020 Tokyo Men's 2024 Paris Men's Parapan American Games 2007 Rio de Janeiro Men's 2011 Guadalajara Men's 2015 Toronto Men's 2019 Lima Men's 2023 Santiago Men's World Blind Football Championships 2010 Hereford Men's 2014 Tokyo Men's 2018 Madrid Men's 2006 Buenos Aires Men's 2023 Birmingham Men's

Career

Born in Osório, Rio Grande do Sul, Ricardinho lost his sight at the age of 8 due to toxoplasmosis. At 10, he started playing football for the blind, reaching the national team in 2005.^[1] He was named the best 5-a-side football player three times, in 2006, 2014 and 2018.^[2][3][4]

Honours

Summer Paralympics

• Gold medal: 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020
• Bronze medal: 2024

Parapan American Games

• Gold medal: 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023

IBSA World Blind Football Championships

• Gold medal: 2010, 2014, 2018
• Silver medal: 2006
• Bronze medal: 2023

IBSA Blind Football World Grand Prix

• Gold medal: 2022, 2023

IBSA World Games

• Gold medal: 2007

IBSA Blind Football American Championships

• Gold medal: 2009, 2013, 2019
• Silver medal: 2005, 2017, 2022