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He was the sport’s record six-time Best Player, yet Ricardinho had never got his hands on its biggest trophy. He’d never even medalled at the FIFA Futsal World Cup™.

The mercurial winger’s tremendous treble had Portugal 3-0 in the Thailand 2012 quarter-finals, only for Italy to produce a herculean comeback and win. He hit 12 goals in five games to spur the Seleção das Quinas into the Colombia 2016 semi-finals, yet they ended up fourth. Ricardinho had one last shot at “the trophy I want more than anything else”.

Portugal dug deep to down Serbia 4-3 after extra-time in the last 16, rallied from 2-0 with less than 10 minutes to go to knock out mighty Spain in the quarter-finals, and netted an 11th-hour equaliser before beating Kazakhstan on penalties in the semis.

Defending champions Argentina stood in the way of ‘O Mágico’ and history. Thirteen minutes in, Ricardinho’s touchline trickery got Argentinian dangerman Cristian Borruto sent off. As the subsequent power play was almost up, Ricardinho agonisingly hit the post following admirable vision from Pany Varela.

Argentina breathed a sigh of relief when numerical parity was restored, yet they were rapidly behind. Pany’s shot-fake left Damian Stazzone and Maxi Rescia on their backsides and, after he slipped past them, he unleashed an unstoppable bullet to score.

It was 2-0 after 28 minutes. Ricardinho chipped a corner into the unmarked Pany, whose sumptuous volley beat Nico Sarmiento. An instant reply came in the form of an Angel Claudino wonder goal, but Portugal held on to etch their name on the trophy.

“I’ve been in the national team for 18 years,” Ricardinho told FIFA. “I’ve played many games, many competitions, four World Cups. I knew this was my last chance to win this trophy that I’ve dreamed about all my life. I knew that I would always regret not winning the World Cup. I’m so emotional, I’m so happy.

“I’ve won three Champions, 15 league championships, the EURO, but this is without doubt more special. It’s the greatest moment of my career, the greatest day of my life. I’ve waited my entire career for this trophy.”