Ricardo Velho

Farense On 31 July 2020, Velho signed a two-year contract with Primeira Liga club Farense. In the 2022–23 season, he contributed 22 games as his side finished runners-up and returned to the main division after a two-year absence, while they conceded a league-best 34 goals; subsequently, he agreed to an extension until June 2026.

Velho's maiden appearance in the top flight took place on 12 August 2023, in a 0–3 home defeat to Casa Pia. Due to his performances, which included a league-best 143 saves and seven clean sheets with Farense finishing tenth, he was voted the campaign's Goalkeeper of the Year.

In summer 2024, Velho was linked with a move to Benfica, but the deal fell through when Farense demanded that his €10 million buyout clause be paid. This led to him agreeing to extend his contract until 2028.

Velho missed the final month of 2024–25, due to a knee ligament injury that required surgery. His team would be ultimately relegated as second-bottom.

Shortly after the start of the following season, Velho was loaned to Gençlerbirliği with an option to buy. He only made his Süper Lig debut on 7 November, in a 2–1 home win over İstanbul Başakşehir; manager Volkan Demirel later disclosed that he was fielded because the Turkish club would have to pay €200.000 in compensation if he did not take part in the required number of matches in the first half of the campaign.

Aris On 18 August 2026, Velho joined Super League Greece side Aris Thessaloniki on a four-year deal.

International career Velho was not capped by Portugal at any youth level. On 4 October 2024, he was called by the senior team for matches against Poland and Scotland in the UEFA Nations League.

On 31 March 2026, Velho made his full debut, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute for José Sá in a 2–0 friendly victory over the United States in Atlanta. He was selected for the year's FIFA World Cup as an emergency-only fourth goalkeeper.

Career statistics Club

Honours Individual Primeira Liga Goalkeeper of the Season: 2023–24