Johnny Cardoso sacrificed the World Cup to prioritize Atletico Madrid Johnny Cardoso, midfielder for Atletico Madrid, made a heroic decision by skipping the World Cup in the USA to undergo ankle surgery and be ready for the upcoming season. The club, which finished 4th in La Liga 2025 with 69 points (21W-6D-11L), deeply values this sacrifice. ## Why was his decision so important? Cardoso, one of the most promising signings last season, suffered multiple injuries that prevented him from performing at his best. Instead of forcing his participation in the World Cup, he chose to undergo surgery in late May to fix a high-grade ankle sprain. This decision allowed him to recover in record time and rejoin team training as of last Monday. ## How will this impact Atletico? With Diego Pablo Simeone at the helm, the team needs reinforcements in midfield. Cardoso, after a complicated season with 16 missed games due to injuries, returns aiming to bring stability. In his first year, he played 28 matches, scored two goals, and provided one assist, but his inconsistency due to injuries limited his impact. ## The club's reaction Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, CEO of Atletico Madrid, highlighted the player's commitment: “He gave up a unique opportunity like the World Cup to prioritize the club. It’s a gesture we won’t forget”. The team’s next match will be against Elche (15th in La Liga) on February 21, 2027, where Cardoso could be key.