Seventeen-year-old Brazilian Maicon Cardoso has emerged as one of the standout performers in the opening phase of Bayern Munich’s pre-season, earning praise from head coach Vincent Kompany and a place on the club’s Asian tour.
Cardoso has attracted attention in training through his enthusiasm, physical work-rate and attacking energy as Bayern prepare for the new season. His performances have made him one of the biggest beneficiaries of the club’s initial preparations and have strengthened his hopes of establishing himself around the first-team squad.
According to German newspaper Bild, Cardoso also made a positive impression in Bayern’s first friendly of the build-up. The German side recorded a 15-0 victory over Rottach-Egern on Thursday, with the teenager further underlining the qualities that have impressed those working with him.
The report said Cardoso had improved his prospects of securing a more permanent place in Bayern Munich’s first-team set-up during the coming campaign.
His energy has also been noted by Dante, the coach of Bayern Munich’s second team. The former Brazil defender praised the teenager’s approach and focus, while suggesting that Cardoso’s enthusiasm can sometimes need to be managed.
“Maicon always gives everything, always. I even had to stop him once and tell him that he should not run at full speed all the time. He is always enthusiastic and focused, and he is always thinking about the next ball. That is a great quality. Thanks to his mentality, he is a role model for our team,” Dante said.
Cardoso’s commitment and performances during the opening weeks of pre-season have now led to his inclusion in Bayern Munich’s squad for their Asian tour. The trip could provide the Brazilian with further opportunities to feature in friendly matches and show Kompany that he is ready to compete for a role at senior level.
His selection represents a further step in a preparation period that has rapidly raised his profile within the club. Having already impressed in training and during the victory over Rottach-Egern, Cardoso will now have the chance to test himself in a different setting as Bayern continue their preparations away from Germany.
The teenager’s longer-term position is not expected to become clear until the Asian tour has concluded. His chances of taking on a role with the first team in the new season will then be assessed in greater detail.
For now, Cardoso has used the first stage of pre-season to put himself firmly into the conversation. His intensity, attacking activity and willingness to work have earned recognition from both the coaching staff and Bayern’s wider first-team set-up, while his inclusion on the tour gives him another opportunity to continue making an impression.
