View source for Óscar Cardozo

{{short description|Paraguayan footballer (born 1983)}}
{{family name hatnote|Cardozo|Marín|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Óscar Cardozo
| image = Óscar Cardozo - Trabzonspor.jpg
| caption = Cardozo with [[Trabzonspor]] in 2014
| full_name = Óscar René Cardozo Marín
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|5|20|df=yes}}<ref name="FIFA 2010">{{cite web |title=FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 List of Players |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |publisher=FIFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110055019/https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |archive-date=10 January 2019 |page=23}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Raúl Arsenio Oviedo]], Paraguay
| height = 1.93 m<ref name="FIFA 2010"/>
| position = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| currentclub = [[Club Libertad|Libertad]]
| clubnumber = 7
| youthyears1 = 
| youthclubs1 = Club 24 de Junio
| years1 = 2003–2004
| clubs1 = [[Club Atlético 3 de Febrero|3 de Febrero]]
| caps1 = 34
| goals1 = 20
| years2 = 2004–2006
| clubs2 = [[Club Nacional|Nacional Asunción]]
| caps2 = 63
| goals2 = 22
| years3 = 2006–2007
| clubs3 = [[Newell's Old Boys]]
| caps3 = 33
| goals3 = 21
| years4 = 2007–2014
| clubs4 = [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
| caps4 = 175
| goals4 = 112
| years5 = 2014–2016
| clubs5 = [[Trabzonspor]]
| caps5 = 50
| goals5 = 25
| years6 = 2016–2017
| clubs6 = [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]]
| caps6 = 22
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2017–
| clubs7 = [[Club Libertad|Libertad]]
| caps7 = 253
| goals7 = 103
| nationalyears1 = 2006–2023
| nationalteam1 = [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]]
| nationalcaps1 = 58
| nationalgoals1 = 12
| club-update = 22:37, 27 October 2024 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 21 November 2023 (UTC)
}}
'''Óscar René Cardozo Marín''' ({{IPA|es|ˈoskaɾ reˈne kaɾˈðoso maˈɾin}}; born 20 May 1983), best known as '''Tacuara''' ([[Guarani language|Guarani]] for [[Guadua]]), is a Paraguayan professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[striker (association football)|striker]] for [[Club Libertad]] and the [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay national team]].

Known for his powerful left-foot shot and [[Direct free kick|free-kick]] skills,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.futebol365.pt/noticias/artigo.asp?ID=86743&CAT=Comentarios#.UkdtLdxdb5o|title=Hélder Postiga, Oscar Cardozo e Rui Patrício: O estigma do Patinho Feio|trans-title=Hélder Postiga, Oscar Cardozo and Rui Patrício: The Ugly Duckling stigma|publisher=Futebol 365|date=8 June 2013|access-date=29 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002075856/http://www.futebol365.pt/noticias/artigo.asp?ID=86743&CAT=Comentarios#.UkdtLdxdb5o|archive-date=2 October 2013|url-status=dead |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=831987|title=Cardozo treinava livres e à noite ia para a escola|trans-title=Cardozo practiced free kicks and went to school at night|publisher=[[Record (Portuguese newspaper)|Record]]|language=pt|date=8 July 2013|access-date=29 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914143022/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=831987|archive-date=14 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> he first gained attention whilst playing for [[Newell's Old Boys]], which led to a move to [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] in 2007. He scored nearly 200 official goals for the Portuguese club and won eight major titles, including the [[2009–10 Primeira Liga|2010 national championship]], where he also was the [[Bola de Prata (Portugal)|top scorer]], and [[Treble (association football)|the domestic treble]] in the [[2013–14 S.L. Benfica season|2013–14 season]]. He then spent two years with [[Trabzonspor]] in Turkey before joining Olympiacos.

Nicknamed "Tacuara" (from "Takuára" – ''Big [[cane (grass)|cane]]'' in [[Guarani language|Guarani]]), Cardozo gained more than 50 [[Cap (sport)|caps]] for Paraguay, representing the nation at the [[2007 Copa América]], [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] and [[2019 Copa América]]. In 2006 and 2009, he was named [[Paraguayan Footballer of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.com.py/deportes/tacuara-cardozo-es-el-mejor-futbolista-paraguayo-del-2006-954056.html|title=Tacuara Cardozo es el mejor Futbolista Paraguayo del 2006 – Deportes – ABC Color|publisher=ABC Color|language=es|year=2006|access-date=19 October 2021|archive-date=13 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713132903/https://www.abc.com.py/deportes/tacuara-cardozo-es-el-mejor-futbolista-paraguayo-del-2006-954056.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Cardozo is the son of Rosa María, who claimed that "Óscar has been a very good son and has managed to help us and take us away from poverty".<ref name="bio">{{cite web | url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/Olympiakos/scar-cardozo-h-fanela-me-to-7.4238288.html | title=Óscar Cardozo: Η φανέλα με το 7 }}</ref> His father is Arnaldo and his parents have five children.<ref name="bio"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/deportes/la-nueva-casa-de-tacuara-592816.html |title=La nueva casa de Tacuara |publisher=ABC Color |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Club Atlético 3 de Febrero===
====2003 season====
Cardozo commenced his professional career with modest [[Club Atlético 3 de Febrero]] of [[Ciudad del Este]], participating in the [[Paraguayan División Intermedia|División Intermedia]] championship in 2003 and forming a partner ship with striker [[Roberto Gamarra (footballer, born 1981)|Roberto Gamarra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.com.py/deportes/3-de-febrero-se-adjudica-cupo-para-partidos-de-la-promocion-727729.html|title=3 de Febrero se adjudica cupo para partidos de la promoción – Deportes – ABC Color|publisher=ABC Color |language=es}}</ref> In Round 1 of the 2003 season, Cardozo scored in a 1–1 home draw against [[Club Cerro Corá|Cerro Corá]].<ref name="paraguay 2003">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/para03.html |title=Paraguay 2003 |date=5 October 2004 |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=26 June 2015 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311061253/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/para03.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the following fixture, he scored in a 2–0 home victory against [[Sportivo Iteño]] on 11 May.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/> Two weeks later, he netted in a 3–0 home victory against [[Club River Plate (Asunción)|River Plate Asunción]] on 25 May.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/> Cardozo would not score again until Round 11, where the player scored the only goal in a 1–0 away victory for 3 de Febrero against [[Club Cerro Porteño (Presidente Franco)|Cerro Porteño de Presidente Franco]] on 13 July.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/> The following week, Cardozo would again score against Cerro Corá in a 1–1 away draw on 27 July.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/>

On 10 August, Cardozo scored his first double in a 2–0 home victory against [[Club Nacional|Nacional Asunción]].<ref name="paraguay 2003"/> On 7 May, Cardozo would score the only goal for 3 de Febrero as they were defeated 3–1 away against River Plate Asunción on 16 August.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/> In the following fixture, Cardozo would again score, this time in a 1–1 home draw against [[Club Presidente Hayes|Presidente Hayes]] on 23 August.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/> On 30 August, Cardozo scored in a 5–1 away thrashing against [[Club Atlético Colegiales (Paraguay)|Colegiales]], which totaled to five consecutive goals in four matches.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/> Cardozo's last league goal would come in Round 21, when the player netted in a 2–1 away victory against [[Deportivo Recoleta]] on 27 September.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/> 3 de Febrero had finished in 2nd place of the División Intermedia table and were drawn into promotion play-off fixtures.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/> On 12 October, Cardozo scored in 3 de Febrero's 4–2 victory against River Plate Asunción and one week later would score against Cerro Corá in his side's 2–0 victory on 19 October.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/> Cardozo again scored in the following play-off fixture, a 3–2 victory against [[General Caballero Sport Club|General Caballero Zeballos Cué]] on 25 October.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/> Having won three qualifying promotion play-off fixtures successfully, 3 de Febrero ultimately faced [[Club Tacuary]] in a promotion-relegation play-off, which saw the latter win 4–2 on aggregate.<ref name="paraguay 2003"/>

====2004 season====
Cardozo scored his first goal of the 2004 División Intermedia season in a 1–0 away victory against Cerro Corá in Round 6 on 2 May, with 3 de Febrero continuing an undefeated run.<ref name="paraguay 2004">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/para04.html |title=Paraguay 2004 |date=18 March 2005 |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=26 June 2015 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311061249/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/para04.html |url-status=live }}</ref> One week later, Cardozo scored a double against [[Sportivo San Lorenzo]] in a 2–0 home victory on 7 May.<ref name="paraguay 2004"/> In the following round, 3 de Febrero suffered their first defeat of the season after 8 eight rounds in a 1–0 away defeat against General Caballero, however, consistent results continued as Cardozo scored in a 1–1 draw in the Superclásico of [[Alto Paraná]] against Cerro Porteño PF one week later on 23 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.com.py/abc-radio/empate-agonico-del-3-en-el-clasico-764560.html|title=Empate agónico del 3 en el clásico – 730am – ABC Color|publisher=ABC Color|language=es-ES|access-date=19 October 2021|archive-date=1 April 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160401133225/http://www.abc.com.py/abc-radio/empate-agonico-del-3-en-el-clasico-764560.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="paraguay 2004"/> Cardozo scored his 5th league goal of the season in a 2–1 home victory against Cerro Corá in Round 15 on 9 July.<ref name="paraguay 2004"/> 3 de Febrero had been on a 9-game undefeated streak, which ultimately lasted until Round 18, the last match of the season against Cerro Porteño PF which they narrowly lost 4–3 on 31 July. The match saw Cardozo score his 6th league goal of the season and his final goal as a 3 de Febrero player.<ref name="paraguay 2004"/> Cardozo then joined Nacional Asunción during the 2004 season. Before signing with Nacional Asunción, Cardozo had played in 12 out of 3 de Febrero's 18 league matches, scoring 6 goals, which ultimately saw the club finish in first position of the División Intermedia, with 34 points and having lost just two league matches, and gain promotion to the 2005 Paraguayan Primera División season.<ref name="paraguay 2004"/> Cardozo went on to participate in the second half of the 2004 season for Club Nacional Asunción, participating in the Torneo Clasura.

===Club Nacional===
In 2004, he moved to the [[Paraguayan Primera División|top level]] with [[Asunción]]'s Club Nacional, where he quickly established himself as the team's top scorer, scoring 17 overall goals in his last season.

===Newell's Old Boys===
Cardozo arrived at [[Argentina]] and [[Newell's Old Boys]] in the second half of the [[2006–07 Argentine Primera División|2006–07 season]] for a transfer fee of $1.2&nbsp;million, joining compatriots [[Diego Gavilán]], [[Santiago Salcedo]] and [[Justo Villar]]. He netted 11 goals in only 16 games in the [[Apertura and Clausura|''Apertura'']], but his team could only finish 18th in the tournament, and 13th overall. As a result of his performances, he was voted the 2006 [[Paraguayan Footballer of the Year]].

===S. L. Benfica===
[[File:Benfica celebrating.jpg|300px|thumb|left|upright|Cardozo (left) celebrating a [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] goal in 2011]]
On 21 June 2007, Cardozo officially signed for Portuguese club [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]], after being bought for an approximate €9.1&nbsp;million for 80% of his playing rights<ref>{{cite news|url=http://web3.cmvm.pt/english/sdi2004/emitentes/docs/FR13988.pdf|title=Comunicado|trans-title=Announcement|publisher=[[Portuguese Securities Market Commission|CMVM]]|language=pt|date=21 June 2007|access-date=4 October 2010|archive-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181253/http://web3.cmvm.pt/english/sdi2004/emitentes/docs/FR13988.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=440583&cc=3888 Paraguayan striker Cardozo joins Benfica] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012233523/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=440583&cc=3888 |date=12 October 2012 }}; [[ESPN Soccernet]], 21 June 2007</ref>– this made him the second most expensive signing in the club's history, only surpassed by [[Simão Sabrosa|Simão]] for whom the club paid €13&nbsp;million in 2001. Cardozo finished [[2007–08 Primeira Liga|his first season]] with 22 official goals, but Benfica came out empty in silverware. On 22 February 2008, he scored a [[last-minute goal]] against [[1. FC Nürnberg]] for [[2007–08 UEFA Cup|the campaign]]'s [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] (2–2 away draw, 3–2 aggregate win), thereby keeping his promise of surpassing the 20-goal mark.<ref>[http://www.somosparaguay.com.py/despachos.asp?cod_des=17223&ID_Seccion=47 Oscar "Tacuara" Cardozo cumplió con su promesa de llegar a los veinte goles (Oscar "Tacuara" Cardozo kept promise of reaching twenty goals)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916182751/http://www.somosparaguay.com.py/despachos.asp?cod_des=17223&ID_Seccion=47 |date=16 September 2009 }}; Somos Paraguay (Spanish)</ref>

In [[2008–09 Primeira Liga|2008–09]] Cardozo scored 17 goals, all in the [[Primeira Liga|league]], including the equalizer against [[FC Porto|Porto]] on 30 August 2008. He finished second in the [[Bola de Prata (Portugal)|Bola de Prata]] race, losing only to [[Nenê (footballer, born 1983)|Nenê]] of [[C.D. Nacional|Nacional]]. In April 2008, Benfica bought out the remaining 20% of his rights for a further €2.5&nbsp;million, thus investing €11.6&nbsp;million total in his economic rights.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica compra restantes 20% do passe de Cardozo|url=https://expresso.sapo.pt/benfica-compra-restantes-20-do-passe-de-cardozo=f295737|work=expresso.sapo.pt|date=16 April 2008}}</ref>

[[File:Benf-Zenit2012 (2).jpg|200px|thumb|right|upright|Cardozo playing against [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit]] in 2012]]
Cardozo had a very positive [[2009–10 Primeira Liga|2009–10]] pre-season, netting eight times in ten matches. On 31 August 2009, in the third league game, he scored a [[hat-trick]] in an 8–1 home demolition of [[Vitória F.C.|Vitória de Setúbal]].<ref>[https://jn.sapo.pt/PaginaInicial/Interior.aspx?content_id=1349460 Futebol: Liga (3.ª jornada)&nbsp;– Benfica dá 8–1 ao Setúbal e sobe a segundo (Football: League (3rd round)&nbsp;– Benfica hands Setúbal 8–1 and moves to second)]; [[Jornal de Notícias]], 31 August 2009 (Portuguese)</ref> On 22 October, in the [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League group stage#Group I|Europa League group stage]] match against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]], ''Tacuara'' netted twice in two minutes in a 5–0 thrashing at the [[Estádio da Luz]],<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8318447.stm Benfica 5–0 Everton] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112221824/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8318447.stm |date=12 January 2016 }}; [[BBC Sport]], 22 October 2009</ref><ref>[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=688188&sec=uefaeuropaleague&cc=5739 Europa League: Everton humbled, Fulham denied] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020121633/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=688188&sec=uefaeuropaleague&cc=5739 |date=20 October 2012 }}; ESPN Soccernet, 22 October 2009</ref> and added a further three in the league against [[C.D. Nacional|Nacional]] (6–1, at home), and with [[Associação Académica de Coimbra – O.A.F.|Académica de Coimbra]] (4–0, home).

In the Europa League quarter-finals against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], Cardozo scored two [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalties]] for a 2–1 home win.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8596834.stm|title=Benfica 2–1 Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Mark|last=Ashenden|date=1 April 2010|access-date=9 April 2010}}</ref> He also found the net in the second leg at [[Anfield]] with a [[Direct free kick|free kick]], but in a 1–4 loss and subsequent elimination;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8606943.stm|title=Liverpool 4–1 Benfica (agg 5–3)|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Chris|last=Bevan|date=8 April 2010|access-date=9 April 2010|archive-date=9 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409055024/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8606943.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> as Benfica won the national championship, adding [[2009–10 Taça da Liga|the year]]'s [[Taça da Liga|domestic League Cup]], he finished with a career-high 38 goals in 47 matches (26 in the domestic league, leading Porto's [[Radamel Falcao]] by only one), partnering well with Argentine [[Javier Saviola]]. On 10 February 2010, Benfica sold 20% of his economic rights to [[Benfica Stars Fund]] for €4&nbsp;million, valuing him at €20&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica encaixa 10 milhões com venda de Cardozo e Coentrão ao fundo|url=https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/mercados/detalhe/benfica_encaixa_10_milhotildees_com_venda_de_cardozo_e_coentratildeo_ao_fundo.html|work=jornaldenegocios.pt|date=10 February 2010}}</ref>

At the end of the [[2011–12 Primeira Liga|2011–12 campaign]] Cardozo was crowned the Primeira Liga's top scorer for the second time, with 20 goals – joint with [[S.C. Braga|Braga]]'s [[Lima (footballer, born 1983)|Lima]]<ref name="bola de prata">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/porttops.html |title=Portugal – List of Topscorers |date=25 June 2015 |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=25 June 2015 |archive-date=18 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118103450/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesp/porttops.html |url-status=live }}</ref> – as Benfica finished in second position. On 10 December 2012, he scored three in a 3–1 [[Lisbon derby]] win at Sporting (even though one of the goals was initially attributed to [[Marcos Rojo]] as an [[own goal]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://portugoal.net/index.php/more-sporting-news/38362-sporting-1-3-benfica|title=Benfica triumph in the Lisbon derby|publisher=PortuGOAL|date=10 December 2012|access-date=11 December 2012}}</ref> repeating the feat the following week at home against [[C.S. Marítimo|Marítimo]] (4–1), which resulted in him surpassing the 100-goal mark in domestic league play.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://portugoal.net/index.php/more-benfica-news/38417-benfica-hammer-maritimo-to-go-top|title=Benfica hammer ten-man Marítimo to go clear at table top|publisher=PortuGOAL|date=15 December 2012|access-date=16 December 2012}}</ref>

On 2 January 2013, Cardozo took his [[2012–13 Primeira Liga|season]] tally to 21 goals in 19 official games after netting three in a 6–0 home routing of [[C.D. Aves|Desportivo das Aves]] for [[2012–13 Taça de Portugal|the campaign]]'s [[Taça de Portugal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-benfica-news/38601-benfica-annihilate-aves|title=Benfica annihilate Aves|publisher=PortuGOAL|date=3 January 2013|access-date=3 January 2013|archive-date=29 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729090102/http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-benfica-news/38601-benfica-annihilate-aves|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 2 May, he scored his fifth and sixth in eight contests in [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League|the season's Europa League]], being crucial to a 3–1 home win against [[Fenerbahçe S.K. (football)|Fenerbahçe]] in the semi-finals second leg with the subsequent 3–2 aggregate qualification to [[2013 UEFA Europa League Final|the final]] in [[Amsterdam]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/025a-0ea90a67d417-5f5c3267da48-1000--cardozo-double-helps-benfica-clinch-final-berth/|title=Cardozo double helps Benfica clinch final berth|publisher=UEFA|date=2 May 2013|access-date=2 May 2013}}</ref> In the decisive match, he netted from the penalty spot in the 68th minute for the 1–1 equalizer against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], who won it 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0250-0c50fd9b3ece-eb6083db556a-1000--ivanovic-heads-chelsea-to-europa-league-glory/|title=Ivanović heads Chelsea to Europa League glory|publisher=UEFA|date=15 May 2013|access-date=16 May 2013}}</ref>

Cardozo was replaced after 70 minutes in the [[2013 Taça de Portugal Final|domestic cup final]] on 26 May 2013, with Benfica leading 1–0 but then losing 1–2 to [[Vitória S.C.|Vitória de Guimarães]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-portuguese-cup-news/41198-benfica-end-season-empty-handed|title=Guimarães claim famous cup win|publisher=PortuGOAL|date=26 May 2013|access-date=29 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925214440/http://portugoal.net/index.php/more-portuguese-cup-news/41198-benfica-end-season-empty-handed|archive-date=25 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the end of the game, he angrily confronted manager [[Jorge Jesus]], inclusively pushing him; he later apologised for his actions, being fined for half of his monthly salary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1462250/oscar-cardozo-apologises-shove-benfica-coach-jorge-jesus?cc=5739|title=Cardozo apologises to Jesus|publisher=ESPN FC|date=28 May 2013|access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=839635|title=Cardozo foi multado em mais de 65 mil euros|trans-title=Cardozo fined more than 65 thousand euros|publisher=Record|language=pt|date=21 August 2013|access-date=30 August 2013|archive-date=23 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823061751/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=839635|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:José Aguas Silver Ball at Museu Cosme Damião.JPG|200px|thumb|right|upright|Cardozo's boots at the [[Museu Benfica]]]]
Cardozo started [[2013–14 S.L. Benfica season|the new season]] after his teammates due to the controversy, but soon returned to his scoring ways. His goals against Guimarães,<ref>{{cite web|title=Benfica vence jogo de "nervos" em Guimarães|trans-title=Benfica wins stressful game|url=https://www.dn.pt/desporto/benfica/interior/benfica-vence-jogo-de-nervos-em-guimaraes-3434707.html|work=dn.pt|access-date=22 September 2013|date=22 September 2013}}</ref> [[G.D. Estoril Praia|Estoril]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Novo fôlego para Cardozo|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/novo-folego-para-cardozo-848077.html|access-date=23 June 2018 |work=Record |date=9 October 2013 |language=pt}}</ref> and Nacional were vital in keeping Benfica in the race for the title.<ref>{{cite news|title=Clássico é Cardozo marcar ao Nacional|trans-title=A classic is Cardozo scoring against Nacional|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/classico-e-cardozo-marcar-ao-nacional-851104.html|access-date=23 June 2018|work=Record|date=28 October 2013|language=pt|archive-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623165816/https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/classico-e-cardozo-marcar-ao-nacional-851104.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pedro Aldave: "Cardozo vai melhorar ainda mais"|trans-title=Pedro Aldave: "Cardozo will improve even more"|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/benfica/detalhe/pedro-aldave-cardozo-vai-melhorar-ainda-mais-851406.html|access-date=23 June 2018|work=Record|date=30 October 2013|language=pt}}</ref> On 9 November 2013, he put three past Sporting in a 4–3 home win for [[2013–14 Taça de Portugal|the domestic cup's fourth round]], increasing to 13 the goals he scored against Sporting, surpassing [[Manuel Fernandes (footballer, born 1951)|Manuel Fernandes]] in the list of top goalscorers of the [[Lisbon derby]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portugoal.net/index.php/more-benfica-news/43008-benfica-4-3-sporting|title=Luisão's extra time header eliminates Sporting in exhilarating derby|publisher=PortuGOAL|date=9 November 2013|access-date=13 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Golos no dérbi: Cardozo ultrapassa Manuel Fernandes|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/derby-cardozo-benfica-sporting/527eb99ae4b0abf99bee8306.html|work=Maisfutebol|date=9 November 2013}}</ref> In November 2013, an injury ruled him out for {{frac|2|1|2}} months.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benfica: Cardozo continua limitado a dois dias de Bruxelas|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/benfica-cardozo-lesionado-cardozo-liga-dos-campeoes-champions-anderlecht-jesus/5293d82de4b0ce87161de917.html|work=Maisfutebol|date=25 November 2013}}</ref> When he returned, he found himself relegated to the bench, with the team now fully adapted to play with Lima and [[Rodrigo (footballer, born 1991)|Rodrigo]].<ref>{{cite news|title=How bruised Benfica found balance and bounced back – and why Spurs should worry|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/how-bruised-benfica-found-balance-and-bounced-back-and-why-spurs-should-worry|work=fourfourtwo.com|date=13 March 2014}}</ref> On 1 February, after missing his ninth penalty kick in Primeira Liga, in a match against [[Gil Vicente F.C.|Gil Vicente]], Cardozo became the player with most missed penalties in the competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/cardozo-e-o-jogador-que-mais-penaltis-falhou-na-historia-da-liga|title=Cardozo é o jogador que mais penáltis falhou na história da Liga|trans-title=Cardozo is the player with most missed penalties in the history of Primeira Liga|language=PT|website=SAPO Desporto|date=4 February 2014|access-date=29 March 2019}}</ref>

On 14 May 2014, Cardozo missed a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]] against [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] in a [[2014 UEFA Europa League Final|Europa League final]] loss on penalties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0250-0c510740b3cf-c46f4d5f782f-1000--spot-on-sevilla-leave-benfica-dreams-in-tatters/|title=Spot-on Sevilla leave Benfica dreams in tatters|publisher=UEFA|date=14 May 2014|access-date=15 May 2014|archive-date=24 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224031942/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0250-0c510740b3cf-c46f4d5f782f-1000--spot-on-sevilla-leave-benfica-dreams-in-tatters/|url-status=live}}</ref> He still finished the campaign with 11 goals all competitions comprised, including seven in [[2013–14 Primeira Liga|the domestic league which was won for the 33rd time]].

In early August 2014, [[Trabzonspor]] announced they were negotiating with Benfica and Cardozo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trabzonspor agree €5.6m Cardozo fee|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2014/08/02/4999609/trabzonspor-agree-56m-cardozo-fee|publisher=Goal|date=2 August 2014|archive-date=5 August 2014|access-date=3 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805021131/http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2014/08/02/4999609/trabzonspor-agree-56m-cardozo-fee?|url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 August 2014, Cardozo left Benfica and thanked the club by stating, "You will always be in my heart".<ref>{{cite web|title=Cardozo: "Agradeço a todos! Vão ficar sempre no meu coração"|trans-title=Cardozo: "I thank you all! You will always be in my heart"|url=http://www.slbenfica.pt/noticias/detalhedenoticia/tabid/2788/ArticleId/37621/language/pt-PT/Cardozo-Agradeco-a-todos-Vao-ficar-sempre-no-meu-coracao.aspx|work=S.L. Benfica|date=4 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807044725if_/http://www.slbenfica.pt/noticias/detalhedenoticia/tabid/2788/ArticleId/37621/language/pt-PT/Cardozo-Agradeco-a-todos-Vao-ficar-sempre-no-meu-coracao.aspx|archive-date=7 August 2014|access-date=9 July 2019}}</ref>

Cardozo played for Benfica since 2007 and, together with [[Maxi Pereira]] and [[Luisão]], was one of the team captains. He is Benfica's ninth [[List of S.L. Benfica records and statistics#All time topscorers|all-time goalscorer, second in European competitions]], and the highest-scoring foreigner at the club, with 172 goals.

===Trabzonspor===
[[File:Koray Günter - Oscar Rene Cardozo.JPG|200px|thumb|left|upright|Cardozo playing for [[Trabzonspor]] against [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]] in 2014]]
On 4 August 2014, Cardozo moved Turkish [[Süper Lig]] side Trabzonspor for a €5&nbsp;million fee, (Benfica received €4&nbsp;million, the fund €1&nbsp;million) with a further €1.65&nbsp;million contingent on performance-related bonuses.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comunicado|trans-title=Announcement|url=http://web3.cmvm.pt/sdi2004/emitentes/docs/FR51644.pdf|website=CMVM|publisher=SL Benfica|date=4 August 2014|access-date=19 October 2021|language=es-ES|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808053652/http://web3.cmvm.pt/sdi2004/emitentes/docs/FR51644.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> He signed a contract with €2.5 million per season plus bonuses.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kap.org.tr/tr/Bildirim/375241|title=Oscar Cardozo İle Anlaşma Bildirimi|date=2 August 2014|access-date=22 August 2016|publisher=KAP|language=tr}}</ref>

On 21 August, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–0 home win against Russian side [[FC Rostov|Rostov]] for [[2014–15 UEFA Europa League|the campaign]]'s UEFA Europa League. Cardozo made his league debut in a 1–1 away draw against [[İstanbul Başakşehir F.K.|İstanbul Başakşehir]] on 22 September. He came onto the field in the 52nd minute for [[Fatih Atik]], and scored a 93rd-minute penalty to equalise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/22/turkey/super-lig/istanbul-buyuksehir-bsk/trabzonspor/1778465/|title=İstanbul Başakşehir vs. Trabzonspor – 22 September 2014 – Soccerway|work=soccerway.com|access-date=28 June 2015}}</ref>

On 1 December, Cardozo scored his first hat-trick in a 4–1 home victory against [[Gençlerbirliği S.K.|Gençlerbirliği]]. He scored in the 8th, 40th and 65th minutes of the match before being substituted off of the field for Fatih Atik in the 70th minute. Cardozo brought his goal scoring tally to eight goals in nine league appearances.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/12/01/turkey/super-lig/trabzonspor/genclerbirligi/1778605/|title=Trabzonspor vs. Gençlerbirliği – 1 December 2014 – Soccerway|work=soccerway.com|access-date=28 June 2015}}</ref> During a group stage match of the [[2014–15 Turkish Cup]], Cardozo scored a double in Trabzonspor's 9–0 home victory against [[Manisaspor]] on 25 December.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/12/25/turkey/cup/trabzonspor/manisaspor/1965953/|title=Trabzonspor vs. Manisaspor – 25 December 2014 – Soccerway|work=soccerway.com|access-date=28 June 2015}}</ref>

Cardozo rounded off the season scoring 17 league goals in 29 appearances as Trabzonspor finished in fifth place and qualified for the [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League|2015–16 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round]]. He finished in third place of the Süper Lig top goalscorers list, behind [[Demba Ba]] (18 goals) and [[Fernandão (footballer, born 1987)|Fernandão]] (22 goals).

After the 2014–15 season, it was announced that Cardozo would not play in the [[2015 Copa América]] for Paraguay due to a back injury, whereupon it was then revealed by his agent that he had been playing through the pain for his club side.<ref name="goal.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/587/copa-america/2015/05/28/12185062/injured-cardozo-out-of-paraguay-squad|title=Oscar Cardozo misses out on Paraguay's Copa America squad – Goal.com|publisher=Goal |language=es-ES |access-date=19 October 2021 |date=28 May 2015}}</ref>

===Olympiacos===
On 31 August 2016, Cardozo joined Greek champions [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.olympiacos.org/article/59990/who-who-toy-oskar-karntoso|title=Το who is who του Όσκαρ Καρντόσο|date=31 August 2016|website=Olympiacos F.C.|access-date=31 August 2016}}</ref> He scored his first goal in the [[Super League Greece]] on 12 December that year, opening the score in a 2–0 away win over [[PAS Giannina F.C.|PAS Giannina]] and thus ending his seven-match goalless run.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

===Libertad===
====2017–22: Back-to-back Torneo Apertura titles====
On 28 June 2017, Cardozo signed with [[Club Libertad|Libertad]] in Paraguay.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Libertad_Guma|author=Club Libertad|number=879835004330815488|date=27 June 2017|title=ES OFICIAL | Oscar Cardozo firmó contrato y es nuevo jugador de #Libertad #BievenidoTacuara #ElMasGanadorDelSiglo…}}</ref> In his first match for the team, Cardozo scored a double in a 5–1 away win over Huracán in the [[2017 Copa Sudamericana]] on 12 July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=match&id=2463847|title=Copa Sudamericana – Huracán vs Libertad – Soccer – Scoresway – Results, fixtures, tables and statistics|website=scoresway.com|access-date=6 August 2017|archive-date=5 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805065856/http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer|url-status=live}}</ref> On 13 February 2019, he scored a half-way line goal, the fourth in a 5–1 home win over Bolivian side [[The Strongest]] in the [[2019 Copa Libertadores qualifying stages#Second stage|second qualifying stage of the Copa Libertadores]].<ref>{{cite news|date=13 February 2019|title='Tacuara' Cardozo assina golo antes do meio-campo (vídeo)|trans-title='Tacuara' Cardozo scores goal before the half-way line (video)|url=https://www.abola.pt/Internacional/Noticias/Ver/773543|url-status=dead|language=pt|work=[[A Bola]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214150851/https://www.abola.pt/Internacional/Noticias/Ver/773543|archive-date=14 February 2019|access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref>

On 5 November 2019, he scored the opening goal of Libertad's 4–1 away victory over [[Club Sol de América|Sol América]] in the [[Copa Paraguay]] semifinals. In the following month, on 4 December, Libertad won their first Copa Paraguay after beating [[Club Guaraní|Guaraní]] 3–0. Cardozo came on in the 83rd minute of the [[2019 Copa Paraguay#Final|final]].<ref>{{cite news|date=4 December 2019|title=Libertad es el campeón de la Copa de Todos|trans-title=Libertad are the Champion of the Cup|url=https://www.apf.org.py/n/libertad-es-el-campeon-de-la-copa-de-todos|language=es|work=[[Paraguayan Football Association|APF]]|access-date=18 May 2020|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813044829/https://www.apf.org.py/n/libertad-es-el-campeon-de-la-copa-de-todos|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 21 May 2021, Libertad faced Sol América on the last matchday of the [[2021 Paraguayan Primera División season#Torneo Apertura|2021 Torneo Apertura]] with the title on the line, but Cardozo did not play the match due to having tested positive for COVID-19 a few days before.<ref name=d10>{{cite web |url=https://d10.ultimahora.com/oscar-cardozo-capitan-del-campeon-y-su-rey-del-gol-n2942414 |title=Óscar Cardozo, capitán del campeón y su rey del gol |trans-title=Óscar Cardozo, captain of the champion and their goal king |language=es |website=d10.ultimahora.com |date=24 May 2021 |accessdate=26 January 2024}}</ref> Without him, Libertad lost 0–1, but two days later, the club secured their twenty-first league title after Nacional failed to win their match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.com.py/deportes/futbol/libertad/2021/05/23/libertad-campeon/|title=¡Libertad Campeón!|publisher=ABC Color|date=23 May 2021}}</ref> Cardozo contributed with nine goals and nine assists during the campaign.<ref name=d10/> On 25 June 2022, Libertad faced fellow title contenders [[Cerro Porteño]] on the penultimate matchday of the [[2022 Paraguayan Primera División season#Torneo Apertura|2022 Torneo Apertura]], winning the match 1–0 and thus securing their twenty-second league title.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://onefootball.com/pt-br/noticias/em-classico-paraguaio-libertad-vence-o-cerro-porteno-e-e-campeao-do-apertura-2022-35337233 |title=Em clássico paraguaio, Libertad vence o Cerro Porteño e é campeão do Apertura 2022 |trans-title=In a Paraguayan classic, Libertad beats Cerro Porteño and is champion of Apertura 2022 |language=pt |website=onefootball.com |date=25 June 2022 |accessdate=26 January 2024}}</ref>

====2023: Best player in Paraguay at the age of 40====
On 3 April 2023, Cardozo scored four goals in a 5–0 trashing of Cerro Porteño, marking his first-ever poker in his professional career, with his final goal of the night being also his 100th with the Libertad shirt in official competitions, thus becoming the second player in the history of Libertad to do so after [[Juan Samudio]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.versus.com.py/versus/2023/04/03/historia-pura-el-record-que-alcanzo-tacuara-cardozo-con-su-poker-ante-cerro-porteno/ |title=Historia pura: El récord que alcanzó "Tacuara" Cardozo con su "póker" ante Cerro Porteño |trans-title=Pure history: The record reached by "Tacuara" Cardozo with his "poker" against Cerro Porteño |language=es |website=www.versus.com.py |date=3 April 2023 |accessdate=26 January 2024}}</ref> In doing so at the age of 39 years and 318 days, he became the oldest player to score a poker in the 21st century, surpassing [[Pablo Escobar (footballer, born 1979)|Pablo Escobar]]'s record from 2018 by 19 days, as well as the second in history, only behind [[Josef Bican]] in 1955, aged 41.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/2665 |title=The new oldest "pokerist" in XXI century |website=www.iffhs.com |date=6 April 2023 |access-date=24 June 2025 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407220556/https://www.iffhs.com/posts/2665 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the following month, on 4 May, just 16 days shy from his 40th birthday, Cardozo scored the opening goal in an eventual 1–2 loss to [[Club Athletico Paranaense|Athletico Paranaense]] in the [[2023 Copa Libertadores group stage]], thus becoming one of the oldest goalscorers in Copa Libertadores history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abola.pt/futebol/noticias/a-15-dias-do-40-aniversario-cardozo-marca-na-libertadores-veja-o-golo-2023080808202393263 |title=Paraguai A 15 dias do 40.º aniversário, Cardozo marca na Libertadores |trans-title=Paraguay 15 days before its 40th anniversary, Cardozo scores in the Libertadores |language=pt |website=www.abola.pt |date=5 May 2023 |accessdate=26 January 2024}}</ref> Libertad finished third in the group and it was therefore relegated to the [[2023 Copa Sudamericana final stages]], where on 13 July, Cardozo scored a last-minute winner against [[Club Atlético Tigre|Atlético Tigre]] in the first leg of the [[2023 Copa Sudamericana final stages#Knockout round play-offs|knockout round play-offs]] in an eventual 3–1 aggregate win.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/conmebol-sudamericana/articles-video/libertad-defeat-tigre-with-a-last-minute-goal-2023-07-14 |title=Libertad defeat Tigre with a last-minute goal! |website=www.beinsports.com |date=14 July 2023 |accessdate=26 January 2024}}</ref> On 20 October, he scored his 400th career goal in a 3–0 win over [[Sportivo Ameliano]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abola.pt/futebol/noticias/melhor-marcador-estrangeiro-do-benfica-chega-aos-400-golos-oscar-cardozo-2023102110551960412 |title=Melhor marcador estrangeiro do Benfica chega aos 400 golos |trans-title=Benfica's top foreign scorer reaches 400 goals |language=pt |website=www.abola.pt |date=21 October 2023 |accessdate=24 June 2025}}</ref> On 26 November, Cardozo scored a brace in a 3–1 comeback victory over [[Club Olimpia]], the first from the penalty spot and the second with a free-kick, while Libertad's third goal was scored by his fellow 40-year-old attacking partner [[Roque Santa Cruz]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/oscar-cardozo/internacional/imparavel-aos-40-anos-oscar-cardozo-marca-mais-dois-golos |title=Imparável: aos 40 anos, Óscar Cardozo marca mais dois golos |trans-title=Unstoppable: at 40 years old, Óscar Cardozo scores two more goals |language=pt |website=cnnportugal.iol.pt |date=26 November 2023 |accessdate=26 January 2024}}</ref>

At the end of the season, the 40-year-old Cardozo emerged as the top scorer of the [[2023 Paraguayan Primera División season]] and with ease, being the top scorer in both the Apertura tournament (10 goals) and the Clausura tournament (11 goals) for a total of 21 goals in the Paraguayan league, which was 7 more than his closest pursuer, the 23-year-old Gustavo Aguilar.<ref name=far>{{cite web |url=https://www.versus.com.py/hoy/2023/12/04/oscar-cardozo-por-lejos-el-maximo-goleador-de-la-temporada-2023/ |title=Óscar Cardozo, por lejos el máximo goleador de la temporada 2023 |trans-title=Óscar Cardozo, by far the top scorer of the 2023 season |language=es |website=www.versus.com.py |date=4 December 2023 |accessdate=26 January 2024}}</ref> Furthermore, Cardozo was also champion in both tournaments and then helped Libertad win the Paraguay Cup to complete the domestic treble.<ref name=far/> On 5 December 2023, the [[Paraguayan Football Association]] elected him as the best player in Paraguay, becoming the oldest player to do so in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://onefootball.com/en/news/aos-40-anos-oscar-cardozo-e-eleito-o-melhor-jogador-no-paraguai-38674976 |title=Aos 40 anos, Óscar Cardozo é eleito o melhor jogador no Paraguai |trans-title=At 40 years old, Óscar Cardozo is elected the best player in Paraguay |language=pt |website=onefootball.com |date=5 December 2023 |accessdate=26 January 2024}}</ref>

====2024–present: Libertad all-time top scorer====
On 30 May 2024, Cardozo scored a first-half equaliser in an eventual 2–1 win over Uruguay's [[Club Nacional de Football|Club Nacional]] in the last match of the [[2024 Copa Libertadores group stage]], becoming, at the age of 41 years and 10 days, the fourth-oldest player to score in the Copa Libertadores.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/internacional/taca-libertadores/video-cardozo-torna-se-no-quarto-mais-velho-de-sempre-a-marcar-na-libertadores |title=Cardozo torna-se no quarto mais velho de sempre a marcar na Libertadores |trans-title=Cardozo becomes the fourth oldest player to score in the Copa Libertadores |language=pt |website=maisfutebol.iol.pt |date=31 May 2024 |accessdate=24 June 2025}}</ref> The following week, on 5 June 2024, he scored a free-kick against Club Olimpia to help his team to a 3–1 win.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ojogo.pt/4687388732/ex-benfica-cardozo-continua-a-marcar-golacos-aos-41-anos/#iss=https%3A%2F%2Fsso.noticiasilimitadas.pt%2Frealms%2FNI_PRD |title=Ex-Benfica Cardozo continua a marcar golaços, aos 41 anos |trans-title=Former Benfica player Cardozo continues to score great goals at 41 |language=pt |website=www.ojogo.pt |date=6 June 2024 |accessdate=24 June 2025}}</ref> Later that year, on 29 November 2024, Cardozo scored a stoppage-time equaliser from the penalty spot in an eventual 3–2 victory over Cerro Porteño in the Torneo Apertura; this was his 132nd goal for Libertad, overtaking Juan Samudio to become the club's all-time top scorer.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/internacional/oscar-cardozo/aos-41-anos-cardozo-ex-benfica-e-o-melhor-marcador-da-historia-do-libertad |title=Aos 41 anos! Cardozo (ex-Benfica) é o melhor marcador da história do Libertad |trans-title=At 41 years old! Cardozo (ex-Benfica) is the top scorer in Libertad's history |language=pt |website=cnnportugal.iol.pt |date=29 November 2024 |accessdate=24 June 2025}}</ref> The following week, on 6 December, he played in the final of the [[2024 Copa Paraguay]], coming off the bench in the second-half to help his side to a 1–0 win over Nacional.<ref name=Bola2>{{cite web |url=https://www.abola.pt/futebol/noticias/libertad-de-oscar-cardozo-conquista-taca-do-paraguai-2024120714560991605 |title=Libertad, de Óscar Cardozo, conquista Taça do Paraguai |trans-title=Oscar Cardozo's Libertad wins Paraguayan Cup |language=pt |website=www.abola.pt |date=7 December 2024 |accessdate=24 June 2025}}</ref> In total, he scored 12 goals and made two assists in 47 games for Libertad in 2024.<ref name=Bola2/>

On 27 May 2025, just seven days after turning 42, Cardozo converted a penalty in a 2–2 draw with [[Club Alianza Lima|Alianza Lima]], whose forward 41-year-old [[Paolo Guerrero]] also scored, marking the first time in the history of Copa Libertadores that two 40-year-old players scored for each team in the same match.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://iffhs.com/posts/4397 |title=Copa Libertadores |website=iffhs.com |date=30 May 2025 |accessdate=24 June 2025}}</ref> This goal also saw him become the third-oldest goalscorer in the history of the Copa Libertadores, only behind his teammate Roque Santa Cruz in 2024 (42 years and 8 months) and [[Zé Roberto]] in 2017 (42 years and 10 months).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/conmebol-libertadores/76968/los-goleadores-mas-veteranos-de-la-historia-de-la-copa-libertadores |title=Los goleadores más veteranos de la historia de la Copa Libertadores |trans-title=The oldest scorers in the history of the Copa Libertadores |language=es |website=www.elgrafico.com.ar |date=27 May 2025 |accessdate=24 June 2025}}</ref>

==International career==
On 7 October 2006, Cardozo made his international debut for [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] in an [[exhibition game]] with [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]],{{citation needed|date=December 2024}} and he scored his first goal on 5 June of the following year in another friendly, against [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]].{{citation needed|date=December 2024}} He was selected for the squad that appeared in [[2007 Copa América|that year]]'s [[Copa América]]: the tournament in [[Venezuela]] ended in the quarter-finals and the player netted once, in a 3–1 group stage win against the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]].

Cardozo scored two goals in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|qualification stages]], as Paraguay qualified for the finals in South Africa. On 29 June 2010, he netted the winning penalty in the shootout against [[Japan national football team|Japan]] (5–3 victory), as ''La Albirroja'' qualified for the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] quarter-finals for the first time ever.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_55/default.stm|title=Paraguay 0–0 Japan (5–3 pens)|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Paul|last=Fletcher|date=29 June 2010|access-date=29 June 2010|archive-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623142226/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_55/default.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In the following game, however, with the score at 0–0, he missed a 59th-minute penalty against [[Spain national football team|Spain]] in a 0–1 defeat against the eventual champions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_60/default.stm|title=Paraguay 0–1 Spain|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Paul|last=Fletcher|date=3 July 2010|access-date=5 July 2010|archive-date=17 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217144515/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_60/default.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cardozo was overlooked by coach [[Gerardo Martino]] for the [[2011 Copa América]] squad, despite scoring 23 official goals for Benfica in 2010–11. Having already been included by [[Ramón Díaz]] in the ''Albirroja'' preliminary squad, Cardozo would again miss out [[2015 Copa América]] due to a back injury.<ref name="goal.com"/> On 16 June 2019, aged 36, he scored against [[Qatar national football team|Qatar]] in [[2019 Copa América|Copa América]] and became the oldest player in Paraguay's history to score in that competition, breaking [[Delfín Benítez Cáceres]]' 1946 record.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lima|first=Fábio|date=16 June 2019|title=Óscar Cardozo faz história e quebra recorde com mais de 70 anos|trans-title=Óscar Cardozo makes history and breaks an over 70-year record|url=https://www.record.pt/internacional/competicoes-de-selecoes/copa-america/detalhe/oscar-cardozo-faz-historia-e-quebra-recorde-com-mais-de-70-anos|language=pt|work=Record|access-date=17 June 2019}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In spite of the same surname, a similar nickname and physical resemblance, he is not related to [[Ramón Cardozo]] (known as "Tacuarita"), who is also a footballer and a forward.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://dechalaca.com/copaperu/refuerzos-2012/ramon-cardozo-el-hermano-perdido|title=Ramón Cardozo: ¿El hermano perdido?|trans-title=Ramón Cardozo: The lost brother?|publisher=Dechalaca|language=es|date=2 February 2012|access-date=26 September 2013}}</ref> He obtained Portuguese citizenship in November 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/xQM2EDO.jpg|title=A Bola, 12 November 2014|website=imgur.com}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{{updated|match played 13 October 2024}}<ref name="stats and honours">{{Soccerway|accessdate=17 August 2023}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Taça de Portugal]], [[Turkish Cup]], [[Greek Football Cup]], [[Copa Paraguay]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[Taça da Liga]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Club Atlético 3 de Febrero|3 de Febrero]]
|2003
|rowspan="2"|[[Paraguayan División Intermedia]]
|22||14||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||22||14
|-
|2004
|12||6||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||12||6
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!34!!20!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!34!!20
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Club Nacional|Nacional Asunción]]
|2004
|rowspan="3"|[[Paraguayan Primera División]]
|14||3||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||14||3
|-
|2005
|29||9||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||29||9
|-
|[[2006 Paraguayan Primera División season|2006]]
|20||10||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||0||0||colspan="2"|–||20||10
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!63!!22!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!63!!22
|-
|[[Newell's Old Boys]]
|[[2006–07 Argentine Primera División|2006–07]]
|[[Argentine Primera División]]
|33||21||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||33||21
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]
|[[2007–08 S.L. Benfica season|2007–08]]
|rowspan="7"|[[Primeira Liga]]
|29||13||5||5||0||0||11{{efn|Eight appearances and three goals in [[UEFA Champions League]], three appearances and one goal in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||4||colspan="2"|–||45||22
|-
|[[2008–09 S.L. Benfica season|2008–09]]
|26||17||2||0||4||0||3{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Cup}}||0||colspan="2"|–||35||17
|-
|[[2009–10 S.L. Benfica season|2009–10]]
|29||26||0||0||5||2||13{{efn|name=UEL}}||10||colspan="2"|–||47||38
|-
|[[2010–11 S.L. Benfica season|2010–11]]
|22||12||5||5||2||1||12{{efn|Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances and four goals in UEFA Europa League}}||5||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira]]}}||0||42||23
|-
|[[2011–12 S.L. Benfica season|2011–12]]
|29||20||0|||0||4||3||12{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}||5||colspan="2"|–||45||28
|-
|[[2012–13 S.L. Benfica season|2012–13]]
|25||17||5||6||2||1||14{{efn|Five appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, nine appearances and seven goals in UEFA Europa League}}||9||colspan="2"|–||46||33
|-
|[[2013–14 S.L. Benfica season|2013–14]]
|15||7||5||3||1||0||11{{efn|Four appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||1||colspan="2"|–||32||11
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!175!!112!!22!!19!!18!!7!!76!!34!!1!!0!!292!!172
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Trabzonspor]]
|[[2014–15 Trabzonspor season|2014–15]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Süper Lig]]
|29||17||3||2||colspan="2"|–||10{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||1||colspan="2"|–||42||20
|-
|[[2015–16 Trabzonspor season|2015–16]]
|21||8||1||0||colspan="2"|–||2{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||24||8
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!50!!25!!4!!2!!colspan="2"|–!!12!!1!!colspan="2"|–!!66!!28
|-
|[[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]]
|[[2016–17 Olympiacos F.C. season|2016–17]]
|[[Super League Greece]]
|22||3||7||0||colspan="2"|–||5{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||34||3
|-
|rowspan="9"|[[Club Libertad|Libertad]]
|[[2017 Paraguayan Primera División season|2017]]
|rowspan="8"|Paraguayan Primera División
|14||4||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||6{{efn|name=COS|Appearances in [[Copa Sudamericana]]}}||4||colspan="2"|–||20||8
|-
|[[2018 Paraguayan Primera División season|2018]]
|43||23||0||0||colspan="2"|–||6{{efn|name=COL|Appearances in [[Copa Libertadores]]}}||5||colspan="2"|–||49||28
|-
|[[2019 Paraguayan Primera División season|2019]]
|32||9||3||1||colspan="2"|–||11{{efn|name=COL}}||4||colspan="2"|–||46||14
|-
|[[2020 Paraguayan Primera División season|2020]]
|31||13||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||9{{efn|name=COL}}||4||colspan="2"|–||40||17
|-
|[[2021 Paraguayan Primera División season|2021]]
|30||12||0||0||colspan="2"|–||8{{efn|Two appearances in Copa Libertadores, six appearances in Copa Sudamericana}}||0||colspan="2"|–||38||12
|-
|[[2022 Paraguayan Primera División season|2022]]
|34||13||0||0||colspan="2"|–||7{{efn|name=COL}}||1||colspan="2"|–||41||14
|-
|[[2023 Paraguayan Primera División season|2023]]
|39||21||3||1||colspan="2"|–||8{{efn|Four appearances and two goals in Copa Libertadores, four appearances and one goal in Copa Sudamericana}}||3||0||0||50||25
|-
|[[2024 Paraguayan Primera División season|2024]]
|30||8||1||0||colspan="2"|–||7{{efn|Three appearances and one goal in Copa Libertadores, four appearances and two goals in Copa Sudamericana}}||3||0||0||38||11
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!253!!103!!7!!2!!colspan="2"|–!!62!!24!!0!!0!!323!!129
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!630!!300!!40!!23!!18!!7!!153!!59!!1!!0!!843!!395
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{{updated|match played 21 November 2023}}<ref name="NFT">{{cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/16415/Oscar_Cardozo.html|title=Óscar Cardozo|website=National Football Teams|access-date=24 October 2017}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="18"|[[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]]
|2006||2||0
|-
|2007||10||2
|-
|2008||10||1
|-
|2009||7||1
|-
|2010||6||0
|-
|2011||7||4
|-
|2012||3||1
|-
|2013||4||0
|-
|2014||0||0
|-
|2015||0||0
|-
|2016||0||0
|-
|2017||2||1
|-
|2018||0||0
|-
|2019||4||2
|-
|2020||0||0
|-
|2021||2||0
|-
|2022||0||0
|-
|2023||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!58!!12
|}

:''Scores and results list Paraguay's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Cardozo goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Óscar Cardozo<ref name="NFT"/>
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| style="text-align:center"|1 || 5 June 2007 || [[Estadio Azteca]], [[Mexico City]], Mexico || {{fb|MEX}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|2 || 28 June 2007 || [[Estadio Agustín Tovar]], [[Barinas, Barinas|Barinas]], Venezuela || {{fb|USA}} || style="text-align:center"|2–1 || style="text-align:center"|3–1 || [[2007 Copa América]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|3 || 15 October 2008 || [[Estadio Defensores del Chaco]], [[Asunción]], Paraguay || {{fb|PER}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|4 || 10 October 2009 || [[Polideportivo Cachamay]], [[Ciudad Guayana]], Venezuela || {{fb|VEN}} || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–1 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| style="text-align:center"|5 || 29 March 2011 || [[LP Field]], [[Nashville]], United States || {{fb|USA}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|6 || 2 September 2011 || [[Estadio Rommel Fernández]], [[Panama City]], Panama || {{fb|PAN}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|7 || rowspan="2"|6 September 2011 || rowspan="2"|[[Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano]], [[San Pedro Sula]], Honduras || rowspan="2"|{{fb|HON}} || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| 3–0 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|8 || style="text-align:center"|3–0
|-
| style="text-align:center"|9 || 15 August 2012 || [[RFK Stadium]], [[Washington, D.C.]], United States || {{fb|GUA}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|3–3 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|10 || 5 October 2017 || [[Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez]], [[Barranquilla]], Colombia || {{fb|COL}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || style="text-align:center"|2–1 || [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|11 || 5 June 2019 || [[Estadio Antonio Aranda]], [[Ciudad del Este]], Paraguay || {{fb|HON}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|12 || 16 June 2019 || [[Maracanã Stadium|Estádio do Maracanã]], [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil || {{fb|QAT}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–2 ||  [[2019 Copa América Group B|2019 Copa América]]
|}

==Honours==
'''3 de Febrero'''
*[[Paraguayan División Intermedia]]: 2004

'''Benfica'''<ref name="stats and honours"/>
*[[Primeira Liga]]: [[2009–10 Primeira Liga|2009–10]], [[2013–14 Primeira Liga|2013–14]]
*[[Taça de Portugal]]: [[2013–14 Taça de Portugal|2013–14]]
*[[Taça da Liga]]: [[2008–09 Taça da Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 Taça da Liga|2009–10]], [[2010–11 Taça da Liga|2010–11]], [[2011–12 Taça da Liga|2011–12]], [[2013–14 Taça da Liga|2013–14]]
*[[Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira]] runner-up: [[2010 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira|2010]]
*[[UEFA Europa League]] runner-up: [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League|2012–13]], [[2013–14 UEFA Europa League|2013–14]]

'''Olympiacos'''<ref name="stats and honours"/>
*[[Super League Greece]]: [[2016–17 Super League Greece|2016–17]]

'''Libertad'''
*[[Paraguayan Primera División]]: [[2021 Paraguayan Primera División season|2021 Apertura]], [[2022 Paraguayan Primera División season|2022 Apertura]], [[2023 Paraguayan Primera División season|2023 Apertura]], [[2023 Paraguayan Primera División season|2023 Clausura]], [[2024 Paraguayan Primera División season|2024 Apertura]], [[2025_Paraguayan_Primera_División_season#Torneo_Apertura|2025 Apertura]]
*[[Copa Paraguay]]: [[2019 Copa Paraguay|2019]], [[2023 Copa Paraguay|2023]], [[2024 Copa Paraguay|2024]]
*[[Supercopa Paraguay]]: [[2023 Supercopa Paraguay|2023]], [[2024 Supercopa Paraguay|2024]]

'''Individual'''
*[[Paraguayan Footballer of the Year]]: 2006, 2009
*[[Primeira Liga]] [[Bola de Prata (Portugal)|Top scorer]]: [[2009–10 Primeira Liga|2009–10]], [[2011–12 Primeira Liga|2011–12]]<ref name="bola de prata"/>
*[[SJPF Player of the Month]]: [[2008–09 Primeira Liga#SJPF Player of the Month|May 2009]], [[2011–12 Primeira Liga#Awards|2011–12]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=739372 |title=Cardozo eleito o jogador do mês de janeiro |language=pt |trans-title=Cardozo elected best player of January |date=3 February 2012 |publisher=[[Record (Portuguese newspaper)|Record]] |access-date=26 June 2015}}</ref>
*[[Taça de Portugal]] Top scorer: [[2007–08 Taça de Portugal|2007–08]], [[2010–11 Taça de Portugal#Top scorers|2010–11]], [[2012–13 Taça de Portugal|2012–13]]
*[[List of UEFA Cup and Europa League top scorers|UEFA Europa League top scorer]]: [[2009–10 UEFA Europa League|2009–10]]
*Goal.com Team of the Year: 2009–10
*[[Paraguayan Primera División]] [[Primera División de Paraguay topscorers|Top scorer]]: 2018, [[2023 Paraguayan Primera División season|2023]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=4 December 2023 |title=Los destacados del 2023 |trans-title=The standouts of 2023 |url=https://www.apf.org.py/espanol/los-destacados-del-2023-4?nid=17740 |access-date=5 December 2023 |website= |publisher=Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol |language=es}}</ref>
*Paraguayan Primera División Best Player: [[2023 Paraguayan Primera División season|2023]]<ref name=":0" />

==See also==
* [[Football in Paraguay#Players and records|Players and Records in Paraguayan Football]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{ForaDeJogo}}
* {{FIFA player}}
* {{UEFA player}}

{{Club Libertad squad}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Paraguay squads
| bg = #ff0000
| fg = White
|list1=
{{Paraguay squad 2007 Copa América}}
{{Paraguay squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Paraguay squad 2019 Copa América}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=black
|list1=
{{Paraguayan Footballer of the Year}}
{{UEFA Europa League top scorers}}
{{Primeira Liga top scorers}}
{{Taça de Portugal top scorers}}
{{Paraguayan Primera División top scorers}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cardozo, Oscar}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Caaguazú Department]]
[[Category:Paraguayan men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Paraguayan Primera División players]]
[[Category:Club Nacional footballers]]
[[Category:Club Libertad footballers]]
[[Category:Argentine Primera División players]]
[[Category:Newell's Old Boys footballers]]
[[Category:Primeira Liga players]]
[[Category:Süper Lig players]]
[[Category:Super League Greece players]]
[[Category:S.L. Benfica footballers]]
[[Category:Trabzonspor footballers]]
[[Category:Olympiacos F.C. players]]
[[Category:Paraguay men's international footballers]]
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:Paraguayan expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Argentina]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece]]
[[Category:Paraguayan expatriate sportspeople in Argentina]]
[[Category:Paraguayan expatriate sportspeople in Turkey]]
[[Category:Paraguayan expatriate sportspeople in Greece]]
[[Category:2019 Copa América players]]
[[Category:Portuguese people of Paraguayan descent]]
[[Category:21st-century Paraguayan sportsmen]]