Johnny Cardoso
ATMMissing World Cup due to surgery
Cardoso is set for ankle surgery due to an ankle sprain with joint involvement, according to his club.
Analysis: Cardoso's 2026 World Cup dreams have come to an end, as after suffering a high-grade ankle sprain in training, he will now undergo surgery. This is a major blow for the USMNT as the midfielder had a solid season playing in the Atletico midfield, leaving his national team without an important option in the middle. He ends the campaign recording 12 starts in 15 appearances and will look to recover ahead of the start of the next campaign.
Will miss rest of season
Cardoso will miss the rest of the season with a right ankle sprain, the club confirmed Thursday.
Analysis: Cardoso exited Thursday's training session, and further tests confirmed the severity of the injury, which rules him out for the rest of the 2025/26 campaign. Cardoso made 25 appearances between LaLiga and the Champions League, though most of his upside came via defensive stats. This injury also leaves Cardoso as a heavy doubt to represent the USMNT in the upcoming World Cup.
Forced to leave training Thursday
Cardoso (undisclosed) was forced to leave Thursday's team training session visibly distressed after taking a knock during a training exercise, with medical tests scheduled in the coming hours to determine the extent of the issue, according to David G. Medina of Marca.
Analysis: Cardoso was accompanied off the pitch by the club doctor Oscar Celada and had to be transported by golf cart across the Cerro del Espino facilities, a concerning sight for Atletico heading into the final fixtures of the season. The midfielder has already dealt with several injuries throughout the campaign, making this latest scare particularly worrying for coach Diego Simeone's side. The club will provide a clearer picture once the results of the medical tests are confirmed. Koke should take a larger role in the midfield if Cardoso is set to miss time.
Select Player
Search and select a player to compare