Cardinal joins FC Porto futsal and will wear the captain's armband | OneFootball

Fernando Cardinal, captain of FC Porto’s newly created futsal team, is regarded as one of the great names in the history of the sport. At 41, the Portuguese international is finally fulfilling a long-held dream: to compete again and represent the club for which he has always had a special affection, now in the National Third Division Championship.

With 123 caps for the national team, the pivot boasts an impressive résumé that includes a Mundialito, two Champions Leagues, three Spanish Leagues, two King’s Cups, two Spanish Cups, two Spanish Super Cups, five Portuguese Leagues, five Portuguese Cups, one League Cup and five Super Cups.

Born on 26 June 1985 in the city of Porto, Cardinal was raised in an FC Porto family and from an early age began following the club all over the country. At 11, the youngster, who looked up to Gomes and Domingos, took his first steps in futsal. His development was split between Miramar FC, Cafetaria do Ouro and Mocidade da Arrábida, clubs located close to home.

His senior career began in 2004, after an invitation from Fundação Jorge Antunes took him to Vizela. He then went on to play for Famalicense, Boavista, Alpendorada and Freixieiro, standing out at several northern clubs in the top flight and attracting the interest of Lisbon clubs.

In his first season at Sporting, the 1.85-metre player scored 45 goals in 38 matches and finished as the top scorer of the team that won the Portuguese championship. In 2010/11, he reached 60 goals in 34 matches, helped the Lions win the domestic treble and drew strong interest from CSKA Moscow, which did everything possible to secure his signing.

After his first spell abroad, the national team striker returned to Portugal to represent Rio Ave, for whom he scored 29 goals in just 12 games. In the summer of 2013, he received an offer from Inter Movistar, where he stayed for three seasons before moving to ElPozo Murcia.

Cardinal won nine trophies over four years in Spain. He then returned to his home country and once again wore the Sporting shirt, where he played for another five seasons and was crowned European champion in 2018/19 and 2020/21.

After his spell at Alvalade came to an end, he had a brief experience in Italy, followed by another return to Portugal. At ADCR Caxinas, he helped the club reach the Portuguese League play-offs for the first time. In 2024, he accepted the challenge of Corinthians and became the first European player to compete in the Brazilian Championship.

Almost 30 years after beginning his futsal career, the Silver Rosette member is now preparing to achieve yet another goal. Cardinal will wear the number 7 shirt and take on the captain’s armband at FC Porto, in a wait that has finally come to an end.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.