Johnny Cardoso, a promising 22-year-old, is attracting interest from Europe's elite clubs. Currently at Real Betis, Cardoso has been a defensive mainstay, showing excellent tackling and ball retrieval skills. His termination clause is 80 million euros, but there is speculation that Betis would accept offers of around 25 million euros. As a result, clubs from Ligue 1 and Italy's Serie A are in contact, as well as rumors of interest from giants such as Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Premier League teams.
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This possible move could be beneficial for both the player and the United States national team. Cardoso is among the USMNT squad for the 2024 Copa America and his progress at a new, bigger club could improve his skills. At Betis, he has already shown himself to be a complete player, with an 87% pass success rate, 81% of which was in the final third of the pitch. His performances have earned him the title of LaLiga's best U23 player, with 19 appearances, two assists and a goal.
Leaving Betis could provide Cardoso with a more competitive and challenging environment, essential for his growth. Clubs competing in the Champions League offer an ideal platform for him to further develop his playing ability and mental toughness. In addition, playing in leagues like Italy or France can expose him to different styles of play, improving his versatility.
For the USMNT, having a player with experience in top-level European competitions can be an invaluable asset. The United States national team is constantly growing and players like Johnny Cardoso could be key to achieving new heights. His development at a higher caliber European club could be the key to the USMNT's outstanding performance at the Copa America and in future international competitions.