Fábio Rafael Rodrigues Cardoso

Fábio Cardoso is a Portuguese centre-back born in Águeda on 19 April 1994. He developed at R.D. Águeda before joining Benfica’s academy in 2006, progressing through Portugal’s youth teams from under-15 to under-20 level. Cardoso made his professional debut for Benfica B in 2012 and later gained Primeira Liga experience with Paços de Ferreira, scoring his first top-flight goal. After moving to Vitória de Setúbal in 2016, he joined Rangers in 2017 before returning to Portugal with Santa Clara the following year. At Santa Clara, Fábio Cardoso became a regular defender and set-piece threat, making 97 appearances and scoring 11 goals across three seasons. His performances earned a 2021 transfer to FC Porto, where he made his Champions League debut and won seven major trophies. Following a 2024 loan at Al Ain, Cardoso moved to Sevilla, continuing a career built on defensive positioning, aerial strength and composed distribution.