Ricardo Quaresma has no regrets over Al Ahli move after fresh start at Porto

Alam Khan - Reporter 08:36 20/11/2014
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  • Showing what he can do: Porto winger Quaresma endured an unremarkable spell at Al Ahli last year.

    Ricardo Quaresma says he has no regrets about his short-lived spell at Al Ahli as he now looks to recap­ture past glories with Porto.

    – EXCLUSIVE: Gianluca Vialli not interested in return to management

    The winger was an exciting cap­ture for the UAE Pro League side in January, 2013, from Besiktas.

    But the move did not work for Quaresma, nor Al Ahli, as they cut short his deal after just five months.

    He signed off by helping the Red Knights win the UAE President’s Cup and rejoined Porto, where he previously won three league titles, in January.

    He said: “I enjoyed my time in Dubai, I enjoyed the experience, won the cup, and I would like to thank all the people there for help­ing me.

    “They were good to me when I was there, but now I have another life with Porto and new ambitions and new things to achieve.

    “I don’t have regrets, not with the move to Dubai nor ever in my life. Unfortunately I could not produce my best for Al Ahli, but now I am back to my best and showing what I can do.”

    Quaresma, 31, gave an indication of his return to form with a fine cameo in Portugal’s 1-0 friendly win over Argentina on Tuesday.

    Having replaced Cristiano Ron­aldo, it was his inch-perfect cross that picked out Raphael Guerreiro for the injury-time winner.

    Quaresma was pleased to make an impact and said: “I’m in love with football and each day I try to produce my best more and more. This season has been great for me, but I still want to do more.

    “I’ve said many times that I love Porto. I had happy times and success before and now I want the same again. I’m back in the Por­tugal squad and I’m very proud to wear my country’s jersey and help them. That has always been what I wanted.”

    Compatriot Nani is also flourish­ing back in his homeland after his loan move to Sporting Lisbon and has cast doubt on his Manchester United future.

    “I am very happy how it is going at Sporting,” he said.

    “I wanted to play more and yes I had to get away from United to achieve this. I saw the opportunities at United were going to be less for me so I had to make a choice. I had been at Old Trafford for a long time, for seven years, and I think I needed a little time away to understand and find my confidence again.

    “Louis van Gaal gave me the option to go. I could have stayed but I chose the best option for me at the time and I think I was right. Foot­ball has given me everything and when I play I really enjoy myself so I want to play all the time. That wasn’t happening at United.

    “You can accept not playing regu­larly for one or two years, but after that when you know you have the quality to play you have to make a choice.

    “It is a possibility that I might come back to Manchester United. Why not? But it is something that eventually we will have to discuss and see if it is possible.” 

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