Latest news with #JohnnyCardoso
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Atletico Madrid agree terms with USMNT star
With Real Betis' season ending on Wednesday night, their transfer business is getting underway in earnest. One of the most likely exits is USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who has made an impact ever since arriving in Seville. Cardoso, 23, was signed from Internacional in Brazil in January of 2024, and more or less locked down a starting role immediately. Betis have already extended his contract, but last summer agreed a €25m sell clause with Tottenham Hotspur, in exchange for a reduction in price on Giovani Lo Celso. Priority target for Atletico Madrid Spurs are reportedly interested in Cardoso for next season, but require the green light from the player in order to make a move. Their issue is that Atletico Madrid have made him a priority target. Marca say that after the Conference League final, Atletico have now made formal contact, after both sides expressed an interest in a deal several weeks ago. Image via Joaquín Corchero / AFP7 / Europa Pres Their information is that Cardoso has given the green light for a deal, and there is a verbal agreement on personal terms for a contract that will run four or five seasons. Negotiation ahead with Real Betis Now Atletico must open talks with Betis. Cardoso has a contract until 2030 and a release clause of €80m, but their expectation is that they will be able to close a deal for a fee not too distant from the €25m that Spurs would have to pay. Betis do hold an interest in Rodrigo Riquelme, who could be a factor in negotiations, although Atletico are also attempting to include him in a deal for Villarreal's Alex Baena. Cardoso will not be available for Club World Cup While the hope at the Metropolitano is that they can close a deal for Baena in time for the World Cup, Cardoso would not be available. He is set to join up with the USMNT, as they prepare for the Gold Cup this summer, hence any deal they do strike will go through in July.
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Johnny Cardoso caps breakout season with a USMNT first in Conference League final defeat
It wasn't quite the history that Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis meant to make on Wednesday night. Going in search of a first European trophy, the U.S. men's national team defensive midfielder's Spanish club blew a 1-0 lead against Chelsea and capitulated entirely in the last 25 minutes, falling 4-1 in the UEFA Europa Conference League final. Cardoso did, however, become the first American male to start in a major European final in the process, taking his usual place as the anchor of Real Betis' midfield and playing 85 minutes. Advertisement Wednesday's final came almost four years to the day after Christian Pulisic became the first American man to play in a final on the other end of the UEFA spectrum, coming off the bench as his Chelsea side topped Manchester City to win the Champions League. That match was highly anticipated in spite of Pulisic's rotational role with the Blues, arguably the high point of what became a frustrating spell in London for the winger. Just as the Europa Conference League doesn't have the same pull as the Champions League, Cardoso doesn't carry the same clout in U.S. circles as Pulisic, but then again, nobody in the pool can match Pulisic's magnetism and high-level production these days. Nevertheless, Cardoso has been closely monitored by some of Europe's biggest clubs, with his European stage offering a spotlight. Tottenham worked something of a 'dibs' option on the midfielder when it sold Giovani Lo Celso to Betis in 2024, establishing a fixed fee of €25 million (£20.9m; $26.9m) should he further pique Spurs' interest. That clause expires at the end of June, and other clubs (including Manchester United and Atlético Madrid) are reportedly also monitoring the 23-year-old for a potential summer move, despite a February contract extension tying him to Betis through 2029-30. On the back of a capable individual showing on Wednesday, particularly in the first half, it's plausible that Cardoso won't be with Betis for much longer. The Conference League final was the culmination of the latest step in Cardoso's rapid ascent — one that makes him among the most intriguing players in the entire USMNT pool. Most U.S. eligible players spend their formative years getting driven around to weekend soccer tournaments or slamming a ball off of a wall. Born in New Jersey and raised in his parents' native Brazil, Cardoso cut his teeth playing futsal. The small-field alternative to soccer emphasizes technical prowess instead of open-space running, requiring its players to keep close control of a ball and make quick decisions in possession. Advertisement Those instincts helped the midfielder as he began his professional career, debuting with Brazilian side Internacional days before his 18th birthday. He amassed 117 league appearances with the club, capping his tenure with a run to the 2023 Copa Libertadores semifinal, where he started both legs against eventual champion Fluminense. Soon, Cardoso had his suitors: Napoli, Brighton, Sporting and Galatasaray reportedly among them. Ultimately, he felt that Betis represented the best opportunity for launching his European career. 'It was a question of feeling,' Cardoso told The Athletic in 2024. 'I just had this hunch that it was the right choice. I thought I would be able to adapt to the city and felt Spain would suit my style of play. I am a very technical player, which comes from futsal. I read the game well and Spanish football is very positional, very organized. I knew that it would be easier to adapt here than in the Premier League, for example.' Betis has been praised as a very technical side under Manuel Pellegrini, with the Chilean manager favoring players who can be nimble on the ball. Stylistically, it afforded Cardoso an immediate fit into the core of Pellegrini's side while he adjusted from the Brazilian Serie A's hard-nosed nature to La Liga's more wide-open alternative. Based on his underlying numbers, that transition didn't take long at all. First, some footage. Early in Cardoso's tenure, Betis was facing Cadiz in league play. Here, Cardoso found himself in a more advanced position than usual as Cadiz worked to force a turnover and spring a break. Offering his teammate an outlet, Cadiz's four-man convergence forces an eventually blocked pass. Cardoso anticipated a passing triangle, ignoring the initial pass to jump into the next passing lane. If he gets his timing wrong, Cadiz will have a golden chance to open space and launch the ball upfield. Between his reading of the sequence and his somewhat gangly 6-foot-1 frame, which he positions to present a wide obstacle to his opponent's anticipated pass, he's able to stop this quick break before it can be sprung. At this point, his work isn't done. With Internacional, Cardoso gained plaudits for his ability to break lines with his passing. That much hasn't manifested in his role with Betis — no midfielder in La Liga who has played at least 1,800 minutes since he debuted sends a lower rate of his passes at least five yards upfield than Cardoso's 8.7%. Most often, Cardoso is asked to prod the ball to either of his box-to-box midfield partners to do the line-breaking work. Advertisement Here, the line is already broken. Keeping the ball on the ground, Cardoso dribbles upfield and spots a pocket of space between attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir and Willian José. As the ball skips just beyond Fekir, the Brazilian forward is in perfect position for an unmarked first-touch finish, as Cardoso has played the ball with ideal weight and pace. When Betis tightens the screw and moves its midfield line into the attacking half, Cardoso doesn't look out of place. His technical acumen allows him to create chances in a manner usually reserved for the sport's attacking showmen. When the ball is in Betis' own half, those same close-control techniques can help him prevent making costly turnovers close to his own goal, as Fiorentina saw in the Conference League semifinal. He's still a defensive midfielder, after all, so he isn't shy about dropping a shoulder or swinging a leg to get around an opponent in the name of securing possession. This combination of tidy technician work and his rangy mobility has made him an ideal target for many clubs. It's also what played him into Gregg Berhalter's USMNT as the primary deputy to Tyler Adams, a long-needed alternative to the Bournemouth midfielder. Depending on how Mauricio Pochettino wants to calibrate his midfield, there could be room for both defensive midfielders to start. They could set up as a stingy double-pivot to shield the USMNT's often-unsettled back line, affording the defense more time to get its shape right while two tireless ball hawks offer protection. In this scenario, Weston McKennie could play more advanced in a three-man midfield. At the very least, he's a very viable option to step in if needed, especially after being tested at a higher level this season. One issue during the 2022 World Cup was Berhalter's reliance on Adams, McKennie and Yunus Musah to start all four matches. By the round of 16, the youthful trio looked fatigued, giving the Netherlands more freedom to operate up the heart of the park than the USMNT had faced in the group stage. Since Adams debuted, the U.S. has been at its best with him in the lineup. That may give him an edge over Cardoso if the co-hosts can advance into the knockout bracket, but it shouldn't preclude Cardoso from getting ample run-out if he continues in his current form. If he can take his game to the next level, with or without a summer move, it'll present Pochettino with a rare 'good problem' as he works through the rest of the team's ongoing headache areas. And with Cardoso part of the Gold Cup squad at a time when McKennie and Musah are absent, he should have every chance to make that case.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pulisic's surge to Balogun's plunge: How USMNT stars fared in Europe this season
There is, understandably, a lot of angst going around the US men's national team fanbase. Recent performances have not been up to standard, and disappointing results are creating a distinctly doom-y feeling just over a year out from the start of a home World Cup. What might be lost in all of this is what was, by and large, a very solid season for Americans abroad. Here's how the major figures affected their international standing this past season (Major figures meaning: players who have been involved with the senior team within the last year or so). Helped a lot Christian Pulisic The USMNT's best player also enjoyed his finest season as a professional, emerging as a crucial player for Milan, even as the team suffered a disappointing campaign. Pulisic appeared in 50 games for Milan for the second straight season, but scored more goals and added more assists in those appearances. He can claim to be one of the best all-around attacking players in Serie A, leading the league in chances created, according to Opta. If his Gold Cup absence helps him stay fit and in form for the World Cup, it's doubtful anyone will care about missing this summer's tournament come next June. Johnny Cardoso Johnny has been a minor revelation over the course of Real Betis' season, which could end in silverware with Wednesday's Europa Conference League final against Chelsea. The Brazilian-born defensive midfielder ranks among the elite at his position in interceptions, clearances, aerials won, and take-ons (all according to FBRef), showing his importance as a defensive shield and press-breaker. He could be in line for a step up: Atlético Madrid are reportedly interested in prying him from Betis. Advertisement Related: Even with Coppa Italia loss, Christian Pulisic has had the best-ever season by an American man in Europe Brenden Aaronson Aaronson appeared in all 46 of Leeds's league games and started the vast majority of them, racking up a little over 3,500 minutes – by far the most he's played in a season. He had 11 goal contributions (nine goals, two assists) for the best attack in the Championship, and helped his team off the ball with relentless pressing. There's no guarantee Aaronson will get as much time in the Premier League next season, but his 2024-25 campaign was still important to establish himself at a decent level. Malik Tillman Tillman had a breakout season for PSV in 2023-24, and he topped that this season as PSV once again captured the Dutch title while he earned Player of the Season nods from multiple outlets. Tillman set a career high in goals and came close to doing the same in total minutes – especially impressive considering he missed two months with an ankle injury. The question now for Tillman is whether PSV will get an offer they can't refuse for him from a bigger league. Antonee Robinson When the season started, Robinson was among the best left-backs in the Premier League. Now that the season is done, he's still in that conversation. Robinson was a consistent threat down the left for Fulham, only taking a step back towards the end of the year due to a case of tendinopathy (which will also keep him from the US squad this summer). There continue to be rumors of an incoming move for Robinson from one of the Premier League's Big Six, and they continue to be justified. Helped a little Ricardo Pepi The only thing keeping Pepi from the top category was January's knee injury that ruled him out for the rest of PSV's season. Before that point, Pepi had scored 17 times in 27 appearances, including twice in the Champions League. He seemed to be forcing a genuine competition between himself and grizzled vet Luuk de Jong. If he can keep this up next season, he'll continue to be relevant in the US's striker debate. Tanner Tessmann Tessmann struggled to establish himself early on at Lyon, but gradually got more time at defensive midfield and looked more comfortable after jumping from Serie B, where he spent last season with Venezia. In all, it was a season of growth for Tessmann, who got an extended look with the US at the Nations League but missed the cut for the Gold Cup. Chris Richards His numbers with Crystal Palace are similar this season as last, but playing all 90 minutes of every game of the team's captivating run to FA Cup glory counts for a lot. The center back is starting to look the part of the US's first-choice central defender, though his ideal partner is still very much an open debate. Speaking of which … Mark McKenzie McKenzie was a consistent starter for Toulouse in Ligue 1, and there's much to be said for establishing oneself as that in a top European league. His individual performances have not always stood out, but this season certainly improved his standing. One wrinkle: at Toulouse he has usually played as the left side of a three-man backline – not a formation that the US plays often. Damion Downs A surprise inclusion on the Gold Cup training camp roster, Downs scored 11 times in all competitions for Köln in the this season, helping the club top the table and get back into the top flight. The Germany/US dual national has speed, size and an eye for goal, but it's hard to know how where he ranks in the rest of the striker pool right now. We'll find out more this summer. Kept on keeping on Josh Sargent The Norwich City striker continued to bang in the goals – 15 this year after 16 last year in the Championship, with five assists this season. Also like last season, Sargent missed significant time in the middle of the campaign due to injury (in 2024-25 it was groin surgery, in 2023-24 it was an ankle injury). Sargent is still looking for a season in which he a) stays healthy for a full season, b) maintains his scoring record in a top division, and c) carries at least some of that form over to the national team. As it is, he remains in the Championship for now and was left off the Gold Cup squad in what Pochettino called a 'football decision.' Alejandro Zendejas Zendejas was a key contributor to a strong Club América side that may yet compete in the Club World Cup. His numbers are in line with where they've been for the previous two seasons, and his direct style on the wing provides a different look than many USMNT players at the position. Haji Wright Wright scored 12 goals while helping Coventry reach the Championship play-offs, where they fell to Sunderland. He missed about three months with an ankle injury and split time between left wing and center forward. The same versatility and finishing instincts that brought him to the national team are still there, which is why he'll re-join the US this summer. Weston McKennie To see McKennie's value to Juventus this year, just look at the positions they had him play. Central midfield, right-back, left-back, attacking midfield, second striker … McKennie did just about everything for La Vecchia Signora this season. And this after he was once again shopped very openly by the club in the off-season. That probably won't be happening this time around, with McKennie signing a deserved contract extension earlier this month. He's a lock in a first-choice US squad, and seems as if he'll be in the picture for Juve for at least another year. Cameron Carter-Vickers Another season, another consistent role in the heart of the Celtic defense, another Scottish Premiership title. That's four straight domestic league trophies now for CCV with Celtic. Those consistent minutes and trophies didn't lead to a spot with the US for this summer's Gold Cup, though. Advertisement Related: Again in the margins at Dortmund, Gio Reyna in danger of being an 'eternal prospect' Gianluca Busio Busio enjoyed a consistent role in central midfield for Venezia and enjoyed some bright moments, but the season ends with a bitter taste due to Venezia's relegation to Serie B. Busio is 22 and just completed his fourth season with Venezia, with this being the club's second relegation in that time. Busio has been solid enough in Serie A to merit a move to stay at that level, and his contract expires in 2026 – the time is right for Venezia to make a move. Tyler Adams After missing the first couple months of the season with ongoing back problems, Adams put together his best and, perhaps more importantly, healthiest season since joining Bournemouth. Adams finished with just over 2,000 minutes played for the second time in three years, and ranked in the top quarter among his positional peers in the Big 5 leagues in tackles, interceptions, blocks, clearances, and aerial duels won. His case to stay on the national team doesn't need to be made now that he's fully healthy. Joe Scally Scally was a dependable, every-game starter for Borussia Mönchengladbach, just as he was for the previous three seasons. His role on the national team is also well-established – primarily depth at full-back. He hasn't made a leap into the next category yet, but he's still just 22 – that's more than OK. Questions remain Tim Weah What's his best position? Weah started off as a center forward, rose through the ranks at PSG and the US as a winger, but has been playing a fair amount of wingback for Juventus over the past season. Versatility is no bad thing, but Weah has yet to establish a consistent role and much depends on whether Juventus manager Igor Tudor sticks around, and what system he or his successor will deploy next season. Sergiño Dest For Dest, this season was all about one thing: getting healthy. He has done so, recovering from an offseason ACL tear in time to make appearances in PSV's last handful of league games before capturing the Eredivisie title. He will make his return to the national team this summer, and it remains to be seen to what degree he'll mesh with Pochettino. John Tolkin Tolkin had a rough introduction to the German Bundesliga after making the move from his hometown New York Red Bulls, playing 11 games and notching two assists as Holstein Kiel finished in the relegation zone. The question, then, is whether Tolkin will be able to stand out in the which is what might be needed for him to get another call to the national team before the World Cup. Marlon Fossey For the second straight season Fossey was a consistent starter at right-back for Standard Liège. They are usually traditionally a power in Belgium but finished seventh this season. Fossey was a part of the United States squad at the most recent Nations League, but did not impress enough to make the cut for the Gold Cup training camp. Matko Miljevic Miljevic moved from Newell's to Huracán in Argentina, reportedly after some disciplinary issues. He has seemingly done alright so far this season, but wasn't part of the Gold Cup training camp and seems a longshot to be a consistent fixture in the US team. Falling down the pecking order Giovanni Reyna There is no questioning Reyna's raw talent, but it's clearly long past time for him to get a fresh start. Reyna amassed just over 600 minutes for Borussia Dortmund this season, the vast majority of which were late appearances off the bench in which he usually failed to make much of an impact. Even if it means dropping to a less-fancied team or league, Reyna needs time on the field. Yunus Musah Musah requested to be excluded from the US national team this summer with what the federation called a 'personal issue.' We don't know if that issue is part of what led to Musah's funk at Milan this season, where he was in and out of the lineup, tried in many different positions, and generally failed to impress much at any of them. It seems like Musah needs a reset, and that's what he'll get this summer. Matt Turner Turner is still locked in a competition to be the US No 1 goalkeeper, but every day he spends on the bench for his club side weakens his case a little bit more. Turner either needs to find a way to beat out Dean Henderson at Crystal Palace (unlikely), or move somewhere he'll get consistent time as a starter. Auston Trusty Trusty traded long periods as Carter-Vickers' first-choice central defensive partner with multi-week stints on the bench for Celtic. He impressed at various points in the Champions League, but overall didn't do much to increase his standing internationally. Folarin Balogun It's fair to say at this point that the move to Monaco after a 21-goal season with Stade de Reims has not worked out. Balogun has only scored 12 times in the two seasons since, and in 2024-25 he spent long periods out with shoulder and ankle injuries. In the meantime, his competition at striker for the national team has only gotten more intense. When healthy and in form, Balogun is an easy pick for the US. He hasn't been either of those things for a while now.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🤩 Three pieces of good news from Saturday's Betis training session
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. Real Betis has received a morale boost just days before the big final against Chelsea in the Conference Vieites, Johnny Cardoso, and Sabaly, whose participation was in doubt due to physical discomfort, have overcome their issues and are in full condition for the clash. This Saturday, the verdiblanco team trained with the full participation of these players. However, Betis still has one uncertainty in their lineup: Gio Lo Celso. The Argentine remains under observation, and his presence in the match is not yet confirmed, adding a note of caution to the general optimism. The coaching staff is hopeful that this player will be available, but the upcoming sessions will be decisive. For now, the priority is to maximize the performance of the recovered players. 📸 Florencia Tan Jun - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atletico Madrid transfer round-up: Pablo Barrios renews contract until 2030
With Atletico Madrid looking likely to be active in the transfer market again this summer, there are a number of developing stories regarding Los Colchoneros. However one story is done and dusted: Pablo Barrios has renewed his contract with the club for the next five years. It was reported earlier in the month that Barrios would renew his Atletico contract, and that has now been confirmed by the club. The 21-year-old is now committed for the next five years, and regarded by many to be the future of their midfield, as well as a future club captain; in many ways, the successor to Koke Resurreccion. Advertisement So far Barrios has amassed 101 appearances, with four goals and seven assists to his name too. This season he has asserted himself as a starter, making 40 appearances, and accumulating over 3,000 minutes. Image via Dennis Doyle / Getty Images Additions to come in the final third for Atletico Despite the bizarre situation surrounding Angel Correa, he is expected to exit the club this summer, as is Rodrigo Riquelme. The 25-year-old has played just 846 minutes after a promising start to his career with the first team last season, although it is yet to be decided if it will be on loan or permanently, say Relevo. The same outlet say that Real Betis are interested in Riquelme this summer. Advertisement He could be a factor in a deal for Johnny Cardoso. The USMNT international is atop their shortlist of midfielders, and has already expressed a desire to play for Atletico, say Marca. They call it love at first sight, and say Cardoso believes Atletico is a good next step in his career, and can already picture life in the Spanish capital. More of a like for like replacement for Riquelme would be Gabri Veiga though. Ruben Uria, as covered by MD, claims that Veiga is an option, and Atletico have contacted his camp with an offer for next season. Porto are in negotiations for Veiga though, and AC Milan have also enquired about him. It is predicted that €16-17m will be required to extract him from Al-Ahli, where he is also earning €12m per annum. It would be a surprise if they brought in both Veiga and priority target Alex Baena. Villarreal CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles recently confirmed that no offers had arrived for Baena, and Atletico do not want to pay his €55m release clause, report Relevo. They have asked to negotiate a lower price with Villarreal, but Saudi Arabia and Aston Villa are also interested. Image via Cordon Press. Further forward, if Correa does leave, Diario AS note that Wolves' Fabio Silva, who has scored nine goals on loan at Las Palmas this year is an option to replace the Argentine. The 22-year-old has a year left on his deal, and is keen to stay in Spain. More reinforcements at the back too Just as Baena is their top target for the midfield, Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero remains their top priority at the back. Marca explain that they are aware it will come down to the negotiating table with Daniel Levy and Spurs, given Romero is keen to join Atletico. Their plan is to try and talk down the €70m asking price, but they know that it will have to be more than the €52m Spurs paid for Romero four years ago, in order to twist Levy's arm. Advertisement Despite the presence of Nahuel Molina, Marcos Llorente spent much of the season at right-back, and it is an area they could also address. They are willing to compete for Osasuna's Jesus Areso with Athletic Club, who have thus far been reluctant to pay up for his €12m release clause, as per Relevo. On the other side of the defence, RC Lens Facundo Medina is increasingly thought of as a smart addition at the Metropolitano. It is believed that he would cost €20-25m say MD, with Olympique Marseille and Serie A sides interested, as are River Plate. Medina plans to continue in Europe though, and feels his time at Lens is up. Diego Simeone is keen on him due to his left-sidedness and ability to play out from the back. If they can Atletico will add more than one central defender, and Getafe's Omar Alderete continues to be an option on the table from last summer, as is Cristhian Mosquera.
