This Tuesday morning (3), new information touched the Palmeiras news. According to journalist Diego Firmino, a sector manager at Palmeiras, midfielder Johnny Cardoso, from Atlético de Madrid, was offered to the club in recent days.
At 24 years old, the midfielder, who has dual Brazilian and American nationality, has played for Internacional and Betis. According to the investigation, the player was also introduced to other Brazilian clubs.
Com @espiritodporco
In recent days, Jhonny Cardoso (24), was offered to Verdão and other clubs in the 🇧🇷
Midfielder, ex-Internacional and Betis, the player belongs to Atlético de Madrid, who agree to loan him out. Now it remains to be seen whether Verdão will make any moves in the coming days pic.twitter.com/UYLeYBrtKu— Diego Firmino – Canal P de Porco (@diegofirmino) February 3, 2026
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Who is Johnny Cardoso?
Johnny Cardoso was born in New Jersey, in the United States, to Brazilian parents. When he was just three months old, he moved with his family to Brazil. Before arriving at Internacional, he played through the youth teams of Avaí and Criciúma.
Johnny’s professional debut for Internacional took place on September 15, 2019, in the 3-1 victory over Atlético Mineiro, in the Brazilian Championship.
At the end of 2023, Johnny began his career in European football, when he was announced as a reinforcement for Betis, from Spain, signing a contract until 2029. The negotiation involved around 6 million euros (around R$32 million), for 80% of the athlete’s economic rights.
In July 2025, the midfielder went to Atlético de Madrid. The Spanish club signed a contract valid for five years, until the first half of 2030, in a transaction estimated at 30 million euros, with 15% of the value linked to bonuses for sporting goals.
In the selection scenario, Johnny Cardoso had the possibility of defending Brazil or the United States. He opted for the North American national team and was called up for the first time to the under-23 team in October 2019.
In November 2020, he was called up by the senior team for friendlies against Wales and Panama. He returned to the under-23 team in the Concacaf Olympic qualifying tournament. In June 2023, the midfielder participated in the Concacaf Nations League title campaign, taking the field in the final won over Canada.
Johnny Cardoso’s career numbers
| Season | Time | Games | Goals | Assists |
| 2019 | International | 1 | 0 | – |
| 2020 | International | 21 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | International | 34 | 2 | – |
| 2022 | International | 39 | 3 | 2 |
| 2023 | International | 49 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023/24 | Real Betis | 19 | 1 | 2 |
| 2024/25 | Real Betis | 46 | 4 | 1 |
| 2025/26 | Atlético de Madrid | 14 | 0 | – |
| Total | 223 | 12 | 8 |
Should negotiations happen with Palmeiras?
Recently arrived at Atlético de Madrid, Johnny Cardoso has not yet managed to establish himself in the Spanish squad. Therefore, the European club’s leadership believes that a loan could be the best way to continue the athlete’s evolution.
Abel Ferreira has already publicly expressed his desire to have more options in the Palmeiras squad. The team remains active in the market looking for signings, but the delay in announcing major reinforcements has generated growing dissatisfaction among fans.
Even with the external demand scenario, the club still maintains the desire to sign athletes like Arias, Nino and Thiago Almada. However, the negotiations are considered difficult and, so far, there is no set deadline for concluding any agreement.
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