Known in Brazil as “The Wall”, Ricardo began playing beach volleyball in 1994. He has medaled twice at the Olympics, including a silver at the Sydney 2000 Games with Ze Marco de Melo and a gold at the Athens 2004 Games with Emanuel Rego. He has been honored as the Circuito Banco do Brasil best player (2006), best attacker (2000 and 2004) and top blocker (1999-2001, 2003). Ricardo made his debut on the AVP in 2017 at the AVP Gold Series, New York City Open playing with Canadian Chaim Schalk. That season, Ricardo received AVP’s Newcomer of the Year award. Ricardo has two children (Pedro Henrique, 9, and Giulia, 3).