Ricardo Esgaio

Braga On 17 June 2017, after only 44 competitive matches for Sporting in five years, Esgaio signed a five-year contract with Braga as Rodrigo Battaglia moved in the opposite direction. In his third match for his new team, away to Aves on 20 August, he came on as a last-minute substitute and scored his first goal in the top flight to seal a 2–0 victory.

Esgaio played seven games in the side's victorious run in the Taça de Portugal, including the full 90 minutes in the final against Benfica (2–0). In the last 16, he contributed one goal to the 5–0 rout of Torreense on 13 January 2021.

Return to Sporting On 3 July 2021, Esgaio returned to Sporting on a five-year deal, for a €5.5 million fee with a €45 million buyout clause. He scored his first competitive goal for the club on 30 April 2023, in the 2–1 league win over Famalicão.

Esgaio won the first national championship of his career in the 2023–24 campaign. Never an undisputed starter and often criticised for his performances, he did manage 28 appearances for the winners.

Esgaio and Sporting again won the domestic league in 2024–25. He contributed only nine matches to this feat, however.

Later career On 1 September 2025, Esgaio terminated his contract with Sporting by mutual agreement. Later that day, the 32-year-old moved abroad for the first time and signed a two-year deal with Fatih Karagümrük of the Turkish Süper Lig. He totalled 28 games in his only season, being relegated.

Esgaio returned to Portugal on 11 June 2026, signing with Gil Vicente until June 2028.

International career Esgaio played 91 times for Portugal at youth level. He was first choice for the under-21s at the 2015 UEFA European Championship, helping to a runner-up finish in the Czech Republic. He was the captain of the Olympic team at the 2016 tournament in Brazil.

Personal life Esgaio's younger brother, Tiago, is also a footballer and a defender.

Career statistics

Honours Sporting CP Primeira Liga: 2023–24, 2024–25 Taça de Portugal: 2014–15, 2024–25 Taça da Liga: 2021–22 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2021

Braga Taça de Portugal: 2020–21

Portugal U21 UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2015