Richard
Ríos
Colombia
·
Soccer (Football)
Date of birth | June 2, 2000 |
|---|---|
Age | 26 |
Nationality | Colombia |
Career start | 2020 |
Disciplines | Soccer (standard) |
Like so many great South American players, Richard Ríos honed his skills on the futsal pitch. The fast-paced form of soccer, which emphasises technical ability, was the perfect breeding ground for the Colombian as he developed exceptional ball control and a unique sense of creativity.
Spotted by Flamengo
It was on these futsal pitches in Brazil that Ríos soon made his mark. Determined to follow his dream of becoming a professional soccer player, he excelled in the fast-paced format of the game and was soon invited for a trial with one of the country’s most prestigious clubs, Flamengo.
Portuguese giants come calling
Quickly promoted from the youth set-up to the first team, Ríos caught the eye thanks to his ability to control the ball in tight spaces and his determination to win possession back from the opposition. These attributes saw him excel in Brazil and earn a move to Portuguese giants S.L. Benfica in the summer of 2025.
Excelling for Colombia
Ríos made his debut for the Colombia national team in 2023 and quickly became an important member of the squad. The following year he helped the country finish as runners-up in the Copa América.
In 2026, the midfielder made his World Cup debut in the 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan. He went on to feature in four more games as Colombia made it through to the last-16 of the tournament.
Excelling at one of Europe’s biggest clubs and on the international stage for Colombia, Ríos is inspiring a whole new generation of talent through his ability on the pitch and his undeniable passion for the game.
Taking a quick break during training
© André Alves/Red Bull Content Pool
Richard Ríos honed his skills on the futsal pitch
© André Alves/Red Bull Content Pool
The Colombian has a unique sense of creativity
© André Alves/Red Bull Content Pool
Enjoying a bit of target practice
© André Alves/Red Bull Content Pool