Óscar Cardozo Announces Retirement After Illustrious Career

Óscar Cardozo officially announced his retirement from professional football early on Thursday, sharing the news through a video posted on social media. The Paraguayan striker concluded a lengthy career that spanned over two decades, with his final years spent at Club Libertad.

Cardozo is best known for his significant impact at Portuguese giants Benfica, where he played for seven seasons. During his time at the club, he scored 171 goals in 293 appearances, establishing himself as the club's highest-scoring foreign player in history. His tenure at Benfica was marked by considerable success, including winning two Primeira Liga titles, one Taça de Portugal, and four Taças da Liga.

After leaving Benfica in 2014, Cardozo continued his career abroad with spells at Trabzonspor in Turkey and Olympiakos in Greece, where he added a Greek league title to his list of honours. In 2017, he returned to Paraguay to join Libertad, where he maintained his goal-scoring form and played regularly until the end of 2025, demonstrating remarkable longevity by competing at a high level into his early 40s.

Reflecting on his time at Benfica, Cardozo expressed a deep connection with the club, stating that he felt at home from the very beginning and was able to showcase the best version of his footballing abilities during his spell there. His legacy at Benfica remains significant, both for his goal-scoring records and the trophies he helped secure.

Cardozo’s retirement marks the end of an era for a player who was admired for his consistency, professionalism, and goal-scoring prowess. His departure leaves a notable gap for Libertad, where he was a key figure, and also serves as a moment of reflection for Benfica fans who remember his contributions fondly.

Looking ahead, Benfica will continue to build their squad aiming to replicate the success experienced during Cardozo’s era, while Libertad will need to adjust to life without one of their most experienced forwards. Cardozo’s next steps remain to be seen, but his impact on the clubs he served, especially Benfica, will be remembered for years to come.