Eduardo Quaresma

2021–2023: Loans to Tondela and Hoffenheim On 23 July 2021, Quaresma was loaned to Tondela for one year without a buying option. He scored his first goal in the Portuguese top flight on 7 January 2022, a late consolation in the 1–3 home loss to Benfica. He played 30 games as they suffered relegation; one of those was on 22 May when he featured the entire final of the Taça de Portugal, lost 3–1 to Porto.

On 4 August 2022, Quaresma joined Hoffenheim on a season-long loan, with an option to make the move permanent afterwards. He totalled only four matches during his spell in Germany, and the club did not activate the clause.

Return from loan Quaresma returned to the Estádio José Alvalade in summer 2023. Having begun the campaign on the bench, he benefitted from injuries to teammates and the absence of Ousmane Diomande, who was competing in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and was given a start against rivals Porto on 18 December; he impressed in the game, and also created a play that led to a goal by Viktor Gyökeres that was disallowed, in a 2–0 win to overtake Benfica at the top of the table. Afterwards, he began appearing regularly as a starter, and scored his first competitive goal for Sporting on 11 February 2024 in a 5–0 home victory over Braga.

Quaresma made his continental debut on 15 February 2024, featuring the entire 3–1 away defeat of Young Boys in the knockout phase of the UEFA Europa League. He made his first appearance in the UEFA Champions League on 1 October, in a 1–1 away draw against PSV Eindhoven in the league stage. On 4 May 2025, he scored a stoppage-time goal in a 2–1 win over Gil Vicente to help his team maintain their lead at the top of the table with two matches remaining.

International career Quaresma represented Portugal at under-15, under-16, under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels, totalling 36 caps. He made his debut for the under-21s on 6 September 2021, in a 1–0 win over Belarus in the 2023 UEFA European Championship qualifiers held in Amadora.

Style of play Quaresma was primarily deployed as a central defender, although he was also used as a right-back or defensive midfielder. He was noted for his passing range, anticipation and defensive positioning, as well as his ability to carry the ball and play short passes. His pace and mobility allowed him to contribute in both defensive and build-up phases of play.

Personal life Quaresma is a distant relative of Brazilian international Zico. He is also a distant cousin of fellow footballer Ricardo Quaresma through his mother.

Career statistics

Honours Sporting CP Primeira Liga: 2020–21, 2023–24, 2024–25 Taça de Portugal: 2024–25 Taça da Liga: 2020–21