Has Portugal ace Ricardo Quaresma had his teardrop face tattoo removed?

RICARDO QUARESMA will be competing in his first World Cup in Russia - despite making his Portugal debut in 2003.

But the former Barcelona and Chelsea winger has also become known for a distinct and infamous tattoo.

Has Ricardo Quaresma had his teardrop face tattoo removed?

Quaresma got the controversial tattoo of two teardrops underneath his right ear in 2016.

He has previously denied any wrongdoing, despite the ink's connotations.

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But it now appears he has removed the tattoo, with the teardrops no longer visible during his World Cup debut against Spain last week.

There were reports in Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha that it related to an argument with his brother over restaurants owned by Quaresma in Lisbon, but those rumours were quickly quashed.

What's next for Quaresma at the World Cup?

Quaresma replaced Bernardo Silva with 21 minutes to go against Spain, as Portugal fought back to draw 3-3.

The winger was making his World Cup debut after missing out on the squad for the 2006, 2010 and 2014 tournaments.

But he could start against Morocco on Wednesday should manager Fernando Santos wishing to rest key players.

Portugal face Iran on the final game of Group B on June 25.

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