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Meet Goncalo Ramos: Portugal’s World Cup Hat-trick Hero

Meet Goncalo Ramos: Portugal’s World Cup Hat-trick Hero

Goncalo Ramos has 14 goals and 6 assists in 21 games for Benfica this season — including 7 goals in his last 6 league appearances!!!

Goncalo Ramos announced himself to the world yesterday by scoring an hat-trick as well as providing an assist in Portugal’s 6-1 win over Switzerland in the 2022 FIFA World Cup round of 16.

The 21-year-old youngster surprisingly started the match ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, and propelled his team to victory.

But who exactly is this wonderkid who took the world by storm?

In this article, FootballOrbit briefly brings you what you should know about him.

Goncalo Matias Ramos was born on the 20th of June 2001 in Olhao, Algarve, Portugal.

He started his football career in the youth ranks of local side Olhanense in 2009. He later moved to Loulé in 2011 and then Benfica’s youth system in 2013 at the age of 12.

In January 2019, Ramos made his debut with Benfica’s reserve (B) team.

He made his first team debut for Benfica on the 21st of July 2020 in a league match versus Desportivo das Aves and scored two goals on his debut.

He helped Benfica reach the final of the 2019/20 UEFA Youth League, where they lost to Real Madrid. He finished as joint-top scorer in the tournament with 8 goals.

On the 7th of October 2020, Goncalo Ramos signed a contract extension with Benfica until 2025.

In the 2020/21 season, he scored 11 goals in 12 matches for the reserve team. His performances earned him a promotion to the senior team ahead of the 2021/22 season.

The arrival of Roman Yaremchuk to Benfica and the return of Darwin Nunez from injury saw Ramos’ game time reduced significantly. This made him to seek a transfer out of the club in the 2022 January transfer window.

But the appointment of Nélson Veríssimo — who had previously coached Ramos at the B team — as interim manager changed his mind.

Ramos began playing more regularly and subsequently rediscovered his form — scoring 7 goals with 2 assists.

Goncalo scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 3-3 draw against Liverpool at Anfield in a quarterfinal 2nd leg match.

2022/23

The departure of Darwin Nunez to Liverpool meant more game time for Goncalo Ramos, and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

He began the 2022/23 season by scoring his first ever senior career hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Midtjylland in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

He formed a solid attacking partnership with new arrival, David Neres.

Furthermore, Ramos’ brilliant form helped Benfica sensationally top their Champions League group ahead of giants, PSG and Juventus.

So far, he has made 80 senior team appearances for the Eagles — scoring 28 goals.

International career

Goncalo Ramos represented Portugal across various youth levels.

With the U-17s, he played in the 2018 Under-17 Euros — where he played 2 matches and scored a goal.

Ramos was part of the Portuguese U-19 side that lost to Spain in the final of the 2019 Under-19 Euros. He was the competition’s Topscorer with 4 goals in 5 matches.

Moreso, he was also part of the U-21 team that lost to Germany in the final of the 2021 Under-21 Euros.

With 14 goals and 6 assists in 21 games for Benfica this season — including 7 goals in his last 6 league appearances — Goncalo Ramos was named in Portugal’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

He made his senior international debut in a friendly match against Nigeria on the 17th of November 2022. He scored and assisted a goal each on his debut.

Despite haven’t yet established himself with Portugal (played just 33 minutes in 3 appearances); manager Fernando Santos started Goncalo Ramos ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s World Cup round of 16 game against Switzerland………..

Ramos rewarded his manager’s faith by scoring a stunning hat-trick, as well as providing an assist, in Portugal’s 6-1 victory.

The Benfica forward required just 17 minutes to show what he is capable of as he took one touch before blasting the ball past Switzerland keeper, Yann Sommer, at the near post to get Portugal up and running.

He all but ended the match as a contest shortly after half-time with a delicate second — nipping in at the near post to fire home a low cross, to make the scoreline 3-0.

He assisted Raphael Guerreiro with a no-look pass before completing his memorable hat-trick with an assured chip over the goalkeeper.

It saw him become the first player to score an hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup knockout stages since Tomas Skuhravý in 1990.

Furthermore, he also became the first player to score a hat-trick in his first World Cup start since Miroslav Klose in 2002.

At 21 years, 5 months and 17 days of age; Ramos became the third-youngest player in World Cup history to score a hat-trick in the knock-out stages after Pele and Edmund Conen.

Lastly, he is now Portugal’s 2nd-youngest scorer in World Cup history — after Ronaldo in 2006.

Style of play

Goncalo Ramos is a bonafide striker with a powerful 6’1″ frame; possessing pace, elegance and a willingness to shoot off either foot.

He is a versatile player capable of playing in several positions in the attack.

Furthermore, he loves dropping deeper to help his team build up play by bringing his teammates into play as well as creating chances for other players.

He is also good at choosing dangerous positions between opposition defenders, and exploiting spaces behind defensive lines.

Furthermore, Goncalo Ramos is a typical modern day forward who presses the opposition from the front to help his team win the ball back.

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