Biography
Who is José Cardozo?
Early life and family
José Cardozo: José Saturnino Cardozo Otazú was born on March 19, 1971, in Nueva Italia, Paraguay. He grew up as the eighth of ten children. His father, Juan, worked at a refinery to support the family, and his mother, Constanza, managed the home. From a young age, he had a strong interest in football, often skipping school to play.
At age twelve, he tried out for a youth club called Unión Pacífico. He initially wanted to play as a playmaker, but he was assigned the position of a striker. He maintained this role throughout his entire professional career, focusing on scoring goals for his teams.
Early professional career
José began his professional path in 1988 with the Paraguayan club River Plate Asunción. He soon moved abroad to play for FC St. Gallen in Switzerland from 1990 until 1992. After his time in Europe, he returned to South America to join Club Deportivo Universidad Católica in Chile. During his tenure there, he competed in the Copa Libertadores and reached the tournament final in 1993.
He later returned to Paraguay to play for Club Olimpia. He spent two years there and helped the team win the 1993 Paraguayan Primera División championship. In 1994, he continued with the club, participating in both domestic league play and the Copa Libertadores. He scored 27 goals in 41 appearances for the team before moving to Mexico.
Success at Toluca FC
In late 1994, he signed with the Mexican club Toluca FC at twenty-three years old. His early time with the team was difficult due to a severe knee injury that sidelined him for a year and a half. After recovering, he returned to the field in 1997 and quickly became a central figure for the club. He helped Toluca win their first championship in over twenty years during the Verano 1998 season.
José was a key player in what is often called the golden era of Toluca between 1998 and 2002. During this time, the team captured four league championships. He scored a record 249 goals for the club over ten years. He finished as the league's top scorer four separate times and remains the club's all-time leading scorer. His performance earned him the Paraguayan Footballer of the Year award in 2000, 2002, and 2003.
International play and coaching
On the international stage, he made 82 appearances for the Paraguay national team over fifteen years. He scored 25 goals during this time, making him the second-highest scorer in the country's history. He represented Paraguay in three Copa América tournaments and two FIFA World Cups. He also played in the 2004 Summer Olympics, where he won a silver medal.
Following his retirement from playing, he transitioned into a career as an association football coach. He has managed several teams, including his current role as the manager of Municipal Liberia. His career as both a player and a manager has kept him deeply involved in the sport across different countries.
Birthday and age
José Cardozo was born on March 19, 1971, which makes José 55 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. José shares the date with 49 other famous people.
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