Ricardo José Vaz Alves Monteiro (born 7 October 1983), known as Tarantini, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.

He spent most of his career with Rio Ave, making 444 competitive appearances including 345 in the Primeira Liga. Earlier, he played 112 games and scored 21 goals in the Segunda Liga for three other clubs.

Playing career Born in the village of Gestaçô in Baião, Porto District, Tarantini earned his nickname from his physical resemblance to Argentine footballer Alberto Tarantini. He started playing football with Amarante FC, remaining in the club's youth system for eight years, then made his debut as a senior with S.C. Covilhã in 2002. He alternated between the second and third divisions until 2008, also representing Gondomar S.C. and Portimonense SC.

In summer 2008, Tarantini signed for Rio Ave F.C. of the Primeira Liga, making his debut in the competition on 24 August in a 1–1 home draw against S.L. Benfica (82 minutes played) and finishing his debut season with 20 matches and five starts to help his team to the 12th position.

Tarantini scored his first goal in the top tier of Portuguese football on 10 April 2011, the last in a 6–1 away rout of F.C. Paços de Ferreira. The 2012–13 campaign was the most prolific of his career with six league goals – seven overall – including two in a 2–2 draw at home to reigning champions FC Porto on 29 September.

In 2013–14, Tarantini played 37 total games as the team from Vila do Conde reached the finals of the Taça de Portugal and Taça da Liga, losing both to S.L. Benfica. In the fourth round of the former on 10 November 2013, he opened the scoring in a 4–2 home win over Sertanense F.C. at the Estádio dos Arcos. The following 10 August, in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira against the same adversary as the previous finals, he played the full 120 minutes of a goalless draw and took Rio Ave's first attempt in the penalty shootout, saved by Artur Moraes whose team ended victorious.

Tarantini remained a regular in the 2019–20 season, as Rio Ave finished a joint-best fifth and with a record points tally of 55. On 22 February, he made his 400th appearance in a 2–1 victory at C.D. Tondela. In May 2021, after the team's relegation, he went up to the fans in tears and asked for forgiveness; he was met with applause and requests to stay with the club, but was ultimately released by the board of directors in July.

Coaching career In October 2021, shortly after having announced his retirement, the 38-year-old Tarantini joined Ivo Vieira's coaching staff at F.C. Famalicão. He then was the manager of U.S.C. Paredes, achieving promotion to the Liga 3 in 2024–25 and avoiding relegation the following season.

Personal life Tarantini held a degree and a master's degree in sports science from the University of Beira Interior, which he obtained still as a professional footballer. In November 2017, he released a book A Minha Causa (My Cause) with advice for his fellow professionals on life after retiring from the game.

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueTaça de PortugalTaça da LigaContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCovilhã2001–02Segunda Divisão2100———212002–03Segunda Liga5110———612003–04Segunda Liga28620———3062004–05Segunda Divisão36311———3742005–06Liga de Honra32421— —345Total1031562———10917Gondomar2006–07Liga de Honra18420———204Portimonense2007–08Liga de Honra3052250——377Rio Ave2008–09Primeira Liga2001152——2632009–10Primeira Liga2206150——3312010–11Primeira Liga2824120——3432011–12Primeira Liga2201020——2502012–13Primeira Liga2962041——3572013–14Primeira Liga2627240——3742014–15Primeira Liga29250009Appearances in UEFA Europa League01Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira04422015–16Primeira Liga2525231——3352016–17Primeira Liga32510202Appearances in UEFA Europa League qualifiers0—3752017–18Primeira Liga3114130——3822018–19Primeira Liga241202020—3012019–20Primeira Liga3134141——3952020–21Primeira Liga2603000311Appearance in Primeira Liga relegation play-offs0331Total345244593651612044439Career Total4964855134151612061067

References

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