Tiago Cardoso

Tiago Cardoso Mendes (, born 2 May 1981 in Viana do Castelo), commonly known as just Tiago, is a Portugal professional football (soccer) who currently plays for Juventus F.C. and the Portugal national football team. Generally, Tiago plays as a central midfielder and during Tiago Cardoso time at Olympique Lyonnais and Juventus, Tiago Cardoso took up both Midfielder "Box-to-box" and Midfielder Defensive midfielder duties. Tiago Cardoso is an occasional goal scorer and is a known for Tiago Cardoso Passing (Association Football) and dribbling.

Tiago has played for two teams in the Portuguese Liga; starting a S.C. Braga and later moving to S.L. Benfica. Tiago Cardoso first cup medal came in 2004 after Benfica beat F.C. Porto. Chelsea F.C bought Tiago for Euro15m in 2004 but Tiago Cardoso was sold to Olympique Lyonnais the following season. After two league winning seasons with the club, Tiago moved to Juventus in 2007, helping them finish 3rd in the Serie A 2007-08.

Club career

Tiago came to prominence at S.C. Braga, the reserve team of S.C. Braga, during the 1999-00 in Portuguese football. Tiago Cardoso moved to the main team the 2000-01 in Portuguese football, helping Braga secure 4th place just a place away for UEFA Cup qualification.

Tiago moved to S.L. Benfica in December 2001 where Tiago Cardoso excelled in the 2002-03 in Portuguese football, scoring 13 times in the league, playing a significant part in the club's second place finish. Tiago Cardoso then helped Benfica defeat FC Porto in the Cup of Portugal during the 2003-04 in Portuguese football, denying Porto a historic Treble (association football).

Tiago signed for Chelsea F.C. on 20 July 2004, for a Euro15 million fee, becoming José Mourinho's sixth signing that season. Having missed the first game of Chelsea's FA Premier League 2004-05, Tiago soon became an important member of Tiago Cardoso new team's squad, scoring on Tiago Cardoso away debut against Crystal Palace F.C. on 24 August 2004. Tiago also scored a long-range goal in Chelsea's 3-1 win over Manchester United F.C. on 10 May 2005, after already winning the Premier League title. Tiago was a regular for Chelsea that season, having only missed four games in the Premier League. Tiago Cardoso ended the season successfully as a firm fixture in the Blues' midfield three, having made 51 appearances in all competitions and scoring 4 goals. Chelsea won the Premier League and Football League Cup that season.

Despite Tiago Cardoso initial success, the following season saw the arrival of Michael Essien in August 2005 and this limited Tiago's first team chances. After an emotional goodbye, Tiago flew to Lyon and completed Tiago Cardoso medical with French giants Olympique Lyonnais, signing a four-year deal for a Euro10.1 million transfer fee. Mourinho later confessed in an interview that letting Tiago go was "a big mistake."

Usually playing in a defensive midfield role alongside Juninho Pernambucano, Mahamadou Diarra and Florent Malouda, Tiago excelled for Lyon, scoring seven goals in 37 appearances. The highlights of Tiago Cardoso first season in France were a pair of goals against PSV Eindhoven that took Lyon into the UEFA Champions League 2005-06 and the winning goal against Troyes AC on 1 April 2006. Lyon finished top of the league during the Ligue 1 season 2005/2006 which was a 5th consecutive Ligue 1 title for the club. After the departure of Diarra to Real Madrid C.F. the Ligue 1 season 2006/2007, Tiago began to play a more significant role in Lyon's midfield with Diarra's replacement, Jérémy Toulalan. Tiago Cardoso won Tiago Cardoso second Ligue 1 title that season and helped Lyon to the Coupe de la Ligue final. However, the club lost to FC Girondins de Bordeaux after a last minute strike. Tiago scored six goals in 40 appearances in Tiago Cardoso second season with the club.

On 17 June 2007, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed that Tiago's departure from Lyon was imminent with both Juventus F.C. and A.C. Milan reportedly after Tiago Cardoso signature. Tiago Cardoso officially signed for Juventus on 21 June 2007, for a Euro13 million fee. However, Tiago Cardoso performance in the Serie A 2007-08 season was criticised, Goal.com describing Tiago Cardoso as the third biggest flop of the season.

The start of the Serie A 2008-09 season gave Tiago an opportunity to return to the Premier League in the form of year long loan offer from Everton F.C.. Juventus agreed to the deal but Tiago refused their terms, favouring to stay in Italy instead. The negotiations between the player and the club had a violent end when Tiago forcibly locked Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli inside a toilet stall. Cobolli Gigli was finally rescued by Alessandro Del Piero more than an hour later.

Finally, in the Serie A 2008-09 season, Tiago has established himself as a regular starter in Juventus, with statements coming from both the coach, Claudio Ranieri, and the player himself referring to negotiations for a contract extension.