Fabio Cardoso returns to the spotlight due to the team's needs

Sevilla FC

The situation changed purely out of necessity. Sevilla took on the friendly against Aston Villa with only two first-team centre-backs available amid injuries, international commitments and players left out. That scenario led the coach to temporarily bring back a player who had been working away from the group for weeks.

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Fabio Cardoso
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Cardoso, 32 years old and under contract until June 30, 2028, had started the campaign without a squad number, call-ups or official minutes. From the second day of pre-season, he had been kept apart alongside Joan Jordán and Fede Gattoni after the club told him he needed to find a way out.

The Portuguese trained on his own, with a different schedule and accompanied by a fitness coach. His participation in the Antonio Puerta Trophy, therefore, was not the result of a change in sporting planning, but rather the circumstances the squad was going through.

Last season he played five matches and racked up 338 minutes with Matías Almeyda in the dugout. With García Plaza, he has yet to feature in LaLiga. The right-footed defender, who stands 1.87 metres tall, arrived from Oporto and earns more than 1.5 million euros gross per season.

Sevilla keeps its plans with Cardoso

Sevilla's intention continues to be finding a solution to his contractual situation. The club tried to reach an agreed termination, as happened with Marcao and Gattoni, but Cardoso did not accept giving up the extra year and a half still left on his deal.

The club also does not consider taking on an expensive buyout. To make his departure easier, the player would have to waive at least 40% of the amounts still owed or find a place in markets that are still open, with Saudi Arabia and Portugal among the options mentioned.

While his future remains unresolved, defensive absences could once again disrupt the plans. Marcao, Kike Salas and Sangante have suffered physical problems at different points during the start of the league, leaving García Plaza with fewer options in the heart of the back line.

The coach had already made his position clear by saying “We don't have him down for it” and advising him to look for a way out. Even so, if injuries persist with the transfer window closed, the Portuguese could be used again out of necessity. His appearance in the Antonio Puerta Trophy has shown that, despite remaining outside the initial plans, circumstances can bring him back onto the pitch.