After starting his youth career at a club currently 'making waves' in the Campeonato de Portugal – Lusitânia de Lourosa – Ricardo Benjamim later went on to play for F.C. Porto, Feirense and AD Sanjoanense before moving, at just 16, to Deportivo de La Coruña to join the youth ranks of this historic Spanish club.
Winner from Under-19 European Championship with the national team in 2018, Ricardo returned to a familiar home – Feirense – to become the first-choice goalkeeper for the Under-23 team of the 'fogaceiros'.
Join us in this conversation!
FMPortugal.net: When and how did this bug of yours for FM start?
Ricardo Benjamim: I started playing FM when I was 12 or 13. On weekends I'd watch a cousin of mine play all afternoon, so I got curious about what was getting him so 'hooked': I ended up hooked too (laughs), and that's when this 'bug' started growing with me.
FMPortugal.net: And as a manager, what appeals to you more: starting right away on Europe's biggest stages and winning everything there is to win, or starting with a club in a low division and building your team up until it wins the Champions League?
Ricardo Benjamim: I don't have a set approach, I go through 'phases'. Sometimes I start with a big team and try to win everything, and other times, as time goes on, it stops appealing to me and I have to switch to a small team and face every difficulty to be able to win the competitions I'm in.
FMPortugal.net: Do you like how you're portrayed in FM? What would you change for better/worse?
Ricardo Benjamim: Overall, I'm fine with it. That said, I'd like to challenge you to review the following aspects, since I feel I'm better than how I'm portrayed: I consider myself to have more future potential, and as for attributes, I'd improve determination, agility and reflexes! There's the challenge. (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: When you start a new savesave, do you bring your 'player' along to the club you go to? Is he an automatic starter, or does he have to fight for his place?
Ricardo Benjamim: Truth is, I've tried to bring him along a few times to the clubs I'm at, but he always turns down my offer, saying he's just recently arrived at his club! I can confirm just how realistic my player is in the game: he's loyal to his club. (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: Do you usually play with fellow professionals? Can you reveal some of the names?
Ricardo Benjamim: On the long trips we used to take while playing together at Deportivo, I usually play saves with Pedro Martelo. Better not start counting the thrashings I've given him… (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: Lastly, setting 'virtual reality' aside for a moment, in recent seasons you had an adventure abroad in Spain (Deportivo and Laracha CF). What were the main differences you felt compared to Portugal?
Ricardo Benjamim: Even though I settled in well in Spain, I'd say the style of play instilled there and the mentality of the people you deal with day to day were the big differences I noticed compared to Portugal. Above all, they were experiences that helped me grow as a person and as a professional.
Quick Questions:
First edition you played?
FM 2012
Favourite edition?
FM 2019
Favourite league to play in?
Portuguese League
Favourite team to play as?
Vitória SC
Favourite player you've ever had in any edition?
Keisuke Honda
On a personal level, this couldn't be a better start to the season! An automatic starter for Feirense's Under-23 team, with everything in place to reach new heights both at home and abroad. Thank you for your time and kindness in giving this interview. Wishing you a great 2019/2020 season!
Fiquem com alguns dos seus melhores momentos enquanto estava ao serviço do Deportivo de La Coruña:
