Next to nothing is known about Ricardo's past. He is first mentioned when the friendly rival tells the Player and Professor Mangrove that their starter Pokémon was stolen by an outlaw.
Role
The Player embarks on a quest to find Ricardo and bring him to justice after he steals the friendly rival's starter Pokémon. The friendly rival will pursue Ricardo as well, in an attempt to regain their stolen Pokémon.
The Player confronts Ricardo in the Saloon in Legato Crossroads, which sets off a series of events that cause Ricardo to challenge the Player repeatedly throughout the game.
Personality
Ricardo is a petty criminal with no respect for people's property, stealing leisurely and without hesitation. He is motivated by little more than personal gain and a mischievous sense of humor. Ricardo is extremely self-centered, displaying a distinct lack of compassion for those who cross his path.
When confronted, he reacts with mockery and condescension. Ricardo never admits to his losses, but will always find some kind of excuse for the Player's victories over him.
Ricardo gradually develops more and more of a personal grudge against the Player, eventually going so far as to ambush them at deliberately inopportune moments, in order to catch them off-guard when they are in a tough spot.
Ricardo was conceived as an answer to the more friendly rivals from recent Pokémon games. He is a tribute to the more antagonistic rivals of earlier generations, sharing Blue's flippant attitude and Silver's criminal disposition.
Ricardo is also known by the developers as "Doucherado" and "Dicks".