Neri Cardozo
Full nameNeri Raúl Cardozo[1]
Birth date8 August 1986 (age 40)
Birth placeMendoza, Argentina
Height1.72 m
PositionMidfielder
Youthclubs 1Godoy Cruz
Youthclubs 2CSIR
Youthclubs 3Newell's Old Boys
Youthclubs 4Boca Juniors
Years 12004–2009
Years 22009
Years 32010–2017
Years 42016–2017
Years 52018–2019
Years 62019–2020
Years 72020–2023
Clubs 1Boca Juniors
Clubs 2Chiapas
Clubs 3Monterrey
Clubs 4→ Querétaro (loan)
Clubs 5Racing Club
Clubs 6Defensa y Justicia
Clubs 7Venados
Caps 1135
Caps 225
Caps 3239
Caps 431
Caps 527
Caps 621
Caps 748
Goals 120
Goals 21
Goals 330
Goals 44
Goals 50
Goals 61
Goals 72
Nationalyears 12003
Nationalyears 22003–2005
Nationalyears 32007
Nationalteam 1Argentina U17
Nationalteam 2Argentina U20
Nationalteam 3Argentina
Nationalcaps 15
Nationalcaps 29
Nationalcaps 31
Nationalgoals 11
Nationalgoals 21
Nationalgoals 30

Neri Raúl Cardozo (born 8 August 1986) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.[2] He was able to play on both sides of the field and was known for his ball control. He holds Mexican citizenship.[3]

Cardozo made his debut for Boca Juniors in 2004 under coach Carlos Bianchi, he was a regular starter for the team for the next seasons, winning two Copa Sudamericana and the 2007 Copa Libertadores among other titles, in 2009 he moved to Mexico to play for Chiapas and in 2010 he moved was purchased by league champions Monterrey, he went on to win the Apertura 2010 tournament and three straight CONCACAF Champions League titles in 2011, 2012 and 2013 as well as a Copa MX title in his last game for the club.

Cardozo is one of the few players to win every continental title in America: the Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, Recopa Sudamericana and the CONCACAF Champions League.

Club career

Cardozo was born in Mendoza, Argentina. He was signed to the Boca Juniors senior squad from the Youth Divisions of Boca Juniors at 17 years of age. His debut for Boca was in a 0–0 draw on 16 February 2004 against Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata.

Cardozo has contributed to the many achievements that Boca Juniors have accomplished since he signed for them, including a Copa Libertadores title, two Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana titles, the Argentine Torneo de Apertura title of 2005 and the Torneo de Clausura title of 2006. He too was a part of the Boca squad which played in the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, Cardozo scored in the semi-final 1–0 victory against Tunisian side Étoile Sportive du Sahel before losing 4–2 in the final against AC Milan.

On 27 March 2008, in a Copa Libertadores 4–3 win against Colo-Colo, Cardozo assisted Rodrigo Palacio in scoring Boca's third goal and then scored the fourth goal himself.

On 3 January 2009, he was announced an official player for Chiapas, but got in legal problems when his former team Boca Juniors claimed that Cardozo left the team without consent.[4]

On 28 December 2009, Cardozo was sent on loan (and later purchased by) CF Monterrey. On 16 February 2010, Cardozo made his debut with Monterrey, and became a quick starter in their line up, he led Monterrey to the quarter finals as first place, going as far as the quarter-finals, losing to Pachuca. Cardozo has already been seen by many European teams because of his great speed, good shot power, and great passing skills.[5][6]

International career

Cardozo was a part of the Argentine squad that reached the semi-finals in the 2003 U-17 World Cup in Finland. Later that year he was called up to play for the Argentina Under-20 squad. Neri Cardozo started his youth international career in 2003. Neri also played in the Argentina Under-20 in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship that reached the semi-finals. Two years later, Neri helped Argentina claim their fifth FIFA World Youth Championship; however, he missed the final due to suspension. Alfio Basile called up Cardozo for a friendly against Chile at senior level on 18 April 2007. Cardozo played 70 minutes of the match and Alfio Basile also said that Neri Cardozo has big talent and could also be a star player for Argentina national football team.

Honours

Boca Juniors

Monterrey

Querétaro

Racing Club

Argentina U20

References

  1. ^ "FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011 presented by Toyota: List of Players". FIFA. 11 December 2011. p. 3. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012.
  2. ^
  3. ^ "Neri Cardozo recibe carta de naturalización". Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  4. ^ mediotiempo.com(in Spanish)
  5. ^ [2](in Spanish)
  6. ^ "Terra - Movimientos en el plantel - Noticias Rayados - Rayados". Archived from the original on 1 January 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2009.(in Spanish)