Gonçalo Ramos: Who Is He? Meet The Striker Who Replaced Cristiano Ronaldo
The final Round of 16 match of the 2022 World Cup generated news even before it began when Portugal head coach Fernando Santos made a lineup change for the game versus Switzerland.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s legendary forward, was benched, resulting in a new-look Portugal lineup for the knockout round match against a fellow European opponent.
While Ronaldo was the centre of attention, teenage forward Goncalo Ramos benefited from the move, taking Ronaldo’s place at the head of Portugal’s assault.
Ramos became a key player in the encounter despite having only 34 minutes of international experience before to kickoff, scoring the opening goal and helping Portugal to a first-half lead as they sought a quarterfinal berth. Before the night was up, he had a hat-trick and an assist on his way to a rout of Switzerland.
The hat-trick was the first for any player at the 2022 World Cup. In the 73rd minute, he would leave to loud applause for Cristiano Ronaldo, and while the praise was more more for his replacement than for him, the youngster won’t mind because he has a day to remember at Lusail Iconic Stadium.
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Table of Contents
Who Is Goncalo Ramos?
Goncalo Ramos, born in June 2001 in Olhao, Portugal, has spent his entire career with Benfica, joining the club’s development system in 2013 at the age of 12.
Ramos was scoring goals for the club’s B team when he was promoted to the senior squad at the start of the 2021/22 season. He made his debut in a Champions League qualifying match against Spartak Moscow, although he struggled to get any playing time behind Darwin Nunez and Roman Yaremchuk.
With Nunez’s departure to Liverpool, Ramos has exploded this season, scoring 14 goals and assisted six more in 23 appearances across all competitions by the 2022 World Cup break.
Ramos had only one international cap prior to the World Cup, although he came on as a late substitute in the first two group games. Ramos had only three caps and 34 total minutes of action by the time he replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting lineup against Switzerland.
Goncalo Ramos scores his first goal in the World Cup Round of 16 against Switzerland.
With his starting team against Switzerland, Fernando Santos made it obvious that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough to play for Portugal.
Goncalo Ramos repaid that faith by scoring the opening goal in spectacular fashion, sliding the ball home with his left foot from an incredibly tight angle past hapless goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who could only watch as the ball sizzled into the top corner.
Ramos became Portugal’s second-youngest World Cup goalscorer, trailing only the player he replaced in the starting lineup, Cristiano Ronaldo. It also means that Ramos has scored more World Cup knockout stage goals than Ronaldo, who has only scored eight World Cup goals in the group stage.
Goncalo Ramos first goal vs Switzerland in World Cup Round of 16
Ramos, on the other hand, wasn’t done, and with Cristiano Ronaldo warming up on the sidelines to thunderous cheers, Ramos doubled his total after halftime.
The second goal was a simpler finish than the first, with the player gliding through the penalty area to receive a cross from fullback Diogo Dalot and put it through the legs of Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Goncalo Ramos second goal vs Switzerland in World Cup Round of 16
With the crowd screaming “Ronaldo! Ronaldo!” in Qatar, Goncalo Ramos sealed his hat-trick in the 66th minute.
He refused to slow down, making a back-post run and latching on to a through ball from Joao Felix before unleashing a superb finish to beat a charging Yann Sommer.
Gonçalo Ramos Replace Ronaldo And Score Hat-Trick
Despite Fernando Santos’ decision to rest Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal defeated Switzerland 6-1 to move to the World Cup quarterfinals, becoming the first team to do so in 16 years.
Goncalo Ramos, who is only 21 years old, scored a three trick to establish he deserved to start ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. The team received goals from Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro, and Rafael Leao. Despite Manuel Akanji’s goal for Switzerland, it was nothing more than a consolation prize.
Portugal must win and face either Morocco or Iran in the quarterfinals to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2006. Morocco defeated Spain on penalties in the previous round.
Career Life
Born Olhao, the Portugal young forward kicked off his football career in the youth ranks of local club Olhanense in 2009, playing for three straight years. After that, he moved to Club Loule, and in 2013, he joined the Benfica reserve team.
On 13 January 2019, he made his professional Benfica debut against Braga B in Liga Pro. Ramos has appeared in overall 65 games for Benfica, adding 26 goals to his tally. The Portuguese forward is a talented player; he has a bright future if he keeps on performing as he does now.
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International Career
The Portugal native has been representing his country at various international levels. Ramos was called up for the first national squad in 2017 for U17. Afterward, he has been consequently for Portugal at different ages.
Asof 2022, he has played in 42 games sending 21 balls behind the net.
Career Stats
World Cup
|
Year
|
Matches
|
Goals
|
Assists
|
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2022
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Biography of Gonçalo Ramos
Ramos began his football career in 2009, when he joined the youth ranks of the local team Olhanense. He moved on to Loulé in 2013, when he was only 12 years old, and finally joined Benfica’s development system.
He made his professional debut with the Benfica reserve team on January 13, 2019. Also, he replaced Nuno Tavares in the 84th minute of a LigaPro match at home against Braga B, which he lost 3-2.
On July 21, 2020, he made his first-team debut for Benfica, replacing Pizzi in the 85th minute of a 4-0 victory over Desportivo das Aves in the Primeira Liga. During his debut for Benfica, he scored two goals in eight minutes.
Ramos competed in the 2019-20 UEFA Youth League during that season. He played a key role in Benfica’s run to the final, where they were defeated by Real Madrid. Ramos scored a brace in that game, and he finished the competition tied for the most goals scored with eight. He agreed to the contract being extended until October 7, 2020.
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What Is Gonçalo Ramos Net Worth?
It has been estimated that Goncalo is worth $2 million, thanks to the efforts of the folks over at Vergewiki.
It was reported that Southampton offered Benfica $30.1 million to transfer striker Goncalo.
Goncalo receives a salary of $437,500 a year from Benfica in exchange for his services as a player.
Gonçalo Ramos Career Highlights
- In 2009, he joined the Olhanense youth football team, where he was active until 2011.
- In 2011, he signed up with the CB Loule youth squad, where he remained for the following two seasons.
- Later that year, in 2013, he signed up with Benfica’s youth program and began his professional career with the club.
- Having worked his way up through Benfica’s development programs, he made his professional debut with the reserve squad on January 13, 2019, in a 3-2 home loss to Braga B in LigaPro.
- On 21 July 2020, he debuted for the club and scored twice in a 4-0 Primeira Liga road win over Aves.
- He played in only one game for the team in 2019-20, but his two goals in all competitions more than made up for it.
- His 20 outings for Benfica’s reserve team that season saw him contribute four goals and two assists across all competitions.
- He played in 12 games for the team in 2020-21, contributing to 4 goals and 1 assist in all competitions.
- In addition, he made 12 appearances for Benfica’s reserve team that season, scoring 11 goals and assisting on three more.
- He has played for the Portuguese national team at multiple ages.
- He played for Portugal in the U-17, U-18, U-19, U-20, and U-21 levels.
- He led the competition in scoring with four goals for Portugal’s U19 squad, and he helped them finish second to Spain at the 2019 UEFA European U19 Championship in Armenia.
- He also competed for Portugal at the 2021 UEFA European U21 Championship, when his team placed second to Germany.
- Despite his obvious talent, he has yet to make his Portugal debut at the senior level.
Quick Facts
| Date of Birth | May 16, 1991 |
| Age | 31 Years, 7 Months, 3 Days |
| Place of Birth | Montevideo |
| Country | Uruguay |
| Profession | Association Football Player |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Goncalo Ramos Have A Wife?
Goncalo Ramos’ Marital Status is Unknown at This Time.
What National Team Does Goncalo Ramos Play For?
Portugal is Where Goncalo Ramos Plays Football.
Are Goncalo Ramos’ Feet Left Or Right?
Ramos Has the Right Foot.
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