Richard Ríos

Richard Ríos Montoya (born 2 June 2000) is a Colombian footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Palmeiras and the Colombia national team.

Born in Vegachí, Ríos started his career playing futsal, and attracted the interest of Flamengo during the 2018 South American Under-20 Futsal Championship.

He was invited for a trial period at the Brazilian club and, after two months, Flamengo signed him to their youth team.

In the beginning of the 2020 season, despite still playing in the youth team, Ríos was promoted to the professional team to play alongside reserve players and other youngsters in the first matches of the 2020 Campeonato Carioca.

He made his senior debut on 23 January 2020, coming on as a second-half susbtitute for Matheus Dantas in a 1–0 away win over Vasco da Gama.

Ríos made his Série A debut on 27 September 2020, replacing Guilherme Bala in a 1–1 away draw against Palmeiras, as Flamengo was heavily impacted due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the squad.

The following day, his contract was renewed until December 2021.

On 21 June 2021, Ríos signed a contract extension with Flamengo until December 2023, on the same day the club announced his loan to Mexican club Mazatlán.

On 23 June 2021, Flamengo confirmed the one-year loan deal of Ríos to Mazatlán.

He made his debut for the club on 26 July, replacing Alfonso Sánchez in a 2–0 away win against Cruz Azul.

In September 2021, Ríos suffered a knee injury, only returning to action the following April.

In May, after only six matches, Mazatlán opted to not exercise his US$ 1 million buyout clause, and he returned to Flamengo.

On 4 August 2022, Ríos terminated his contract with Flamengo, and signed a deal with Série B side Guarani until December 2023.

He scored his first professional goal on 11 October, netting the winner in a 1–0 home success over CRB.

In the 2023 season, Ríos became a key unit at Bugre.

On 28 March 2023, Ríos signed a contract with Palmeiras until the end of 2025, with an option for a further year.

The club paid R$ 6 million for 60% of his economic rights.

Richardo Ríos arrived at Palmeiras under the sign of mistrust.

Although he did well in Guarani in Paulistão, which aroused the interest of Palmeiras, there was the shadow that he left much to be desired.

But the 23-year-old Rios began to steal the show, winning the starting job and winning the Brasileirão with Verdão.

In addition, he was the best dribbler in the competition.

He was also part of the Colombian national team.