Ricardo Pires

Ricardo Pires is a Portuguese sport psychologist with extensive applied experience in elite football, combining a strong club background with coach education delivery and a prior professional playing career. Since August 2023, he has worked full-time as Psicólogo Desportivo at Casa Pia Atlético Clube in Lisbon, supporting player performance, wellbeing, and psychological preparation within a first-team environment.

Before joining Casa Pia, Pires spent five years at Sport Lisboa e Benfica (September 2018–August 2023) as a sport psychologist, adding to a long-standing connection with the club that began during his earlier playing pathway. Alongside his club roles, he has been a Formador with the Associação de Futebol de Lisboa since February 2019, delivering education on the coach licensing pathway (Levels I and II) and supporting coach development through applied psychology and learning-focused practice.

Earlier in his career, he built significant experience in social support and community work through Ser Alternativa – Associação Apoio Social (September 2012–September 2018), providing direct intervention and guidance across employment, health, and civic engagement contexts—experience that often translates well into athlete care, safeguarding awareness, and holistic support systems within football environments.

Prior to qualifying as a psychologist, Pires had a professional playing career, including spells in Portugal and Bulgaria. He played professionally for PSFC Chernomoretz Burgas (2009–2011) and Cherno More PFC (2007–2009), where he was involved in campaigns including the Intertoto Cup (2007), a Bulgarian Cup finalist season (2007/2008), and UEFA Cup participation (2008). In Portugal, his playing included Gondomar SC (2006–2007), Vitória FC (December 2005–June 2006), and F.C. Paços de Ferreira (2003–2005), where he was part of the squad that won the II Liga title (2004/2005). His football development began at S.L. Benfica across a long academy period (1990–2003), including junior honours during that time.

Academically, he completed his psychology training at ISPA – Instituto Universitário (Lisbon), earning a Licenciatura em Ciências Psicológicas (2012–2015) and a Mestrado em Psicologia Social e das Organizações (2016–2018). He works across multilingual environments, speaking Portuguese, English, and Bulgarian, reflecting his experience inside and outside Portugal.

Academic Institution: ISPA – Instituto Universitário (Lisbon). Practical Affiliation (current & previous): Casa Pia AC; S.L. Benfica; Associação de Futebol de Lisboa. Languages Spoken: Portuguese, English, Bulgarian. Content Feature: Sport Psychology. Area: Sport Psychology.