João Lucas “Johnny” de Souza Cardoso (Johnny) is an American professional soccer player who plays midfield for the Campeonato Brasileiro club Internacional and the United States national team.
Johnny was born on September 20, 2001, in Denville, New Jersey, United States, and moved to Brazil when he was three months old.
You can follow Johnny’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more here.
Johnny’s Biography
| Full name | João Lucas de Souza Cardoso |
| Nickname | Johnny |
| Birth date | September 20, 2001 |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.82 m) |
| Birthplace | Denville, New Jersey, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Current net worth | $1.5 million |
| Relationship status | Single |
| Instagram profile | @johnny_l01 |
Despite his American birth, he moved to Brazil when he was three months old.
His early life in Brazil saw him work at Avaí and Criciúma before he moved to the Internacional youth academy.
Johnny’s full name is João Lucas de Souza Cardoso, but he is more commonly known as Johnny, a nickname that stuck due to his New Jersey roots.
His parents operated a porcelain business in the New York City suburbs, but they moved back to Brazil a few months after his birth.
Club Career
Johnny’s club career has been primarily with Internacional, a top-tier Brazilian football club.
He made his professional debut with Internacional on September 15, 2019, in a 3–1 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A win over Atlético Mineiro.
Since then, he has made 107 appearances for the club, scoring 6 goals.
Johnny has been praised for his bravery and quickness on the ball. USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter noted that Johnny’s Brazilian playing environment helped him develop a street-smart style.
International Career
Eligible to represent both Brazil and the United States, Johnny received his first call-up to the United States under-23 training camp in October 2019.
He received his first call-up to the senior United States squad for matches against Wales and Panama in November 2020.
Johnny was subsequently called up again to the United States under-23 team for the 2020 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship, in which the United States failed to qualify.
As of October 17, 2023, Johnny has earned 9 caps for the United States senior team.
Johnny’s Net Worth Details
Johnny Cardoso’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million as of 2025. His earnings come from his salary as a professional footballer, endorsements, and other sources.
Contract and Salary
Johnny Cardoso, an American professional soccer player, earned around $600,000 annually as of 2022.
However, his salary might change as he is set to join the Spanish club Real Betis at the end of the 2023 Brazilian season.
The La Liga outfit will pay an initial €6 million ($6.3m) to sign Cardoso. As part of the deal, his current club, Internacional, will earn 20% from any future player transfer.
Career Earnings
Here is a table summarizing Johnny Cardoso’s career earnings based on available data:
| Year | Club | Annual Salary | Contract Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–2025 | Real Betis | €701,771 | Signed a five-year contract in December 2023 |
| 2023 | Internacional | Not disclosed | Played final season before transfer to Betis |
| 2020–2022 | Internacional | Not disclosed | Developed as a key player in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A |
Career Stats
Here is a table summarizing Johnny Cardoso’s career stats across club and international competitions:
| Season | Club/Team | Competition | Matches Played | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/2025 | Real Betis | La Liga | 15 | 1 | 3 | 1,093 |
| 2024/2025 | Real Betis | UEFA Europa Conference L. | 7 | 1 | 0 | 506 |
| 2023/2024 | Real Betis | La Liga | 17 | 1 | 2 | 1,332 |
| 2023/2024 | Real Betis | UEFA Conference League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 180 |
| 2023 | Internacional | Série A | 22 | 2 | 2 | 1,615 |
| 2023 | Internacional | Copa Libertadores | 11 | 0 | 1 | 847 |
| 2022 | Internacional | Série A | 24 | 3 | 2 | 1,414 |
| 2022 | Internacional | Copa Sudamericana | 4 | 0 | 0 | 112 |
| Total (Club) | All Competitions | 149 | 8 | 7 | 9,640 |
National Team Career:
- Debuted for the United States on November 12, 2020.
- Has been part of the U.S. squad in competitions like the CONCACAF Nations League and Copa América.
Johnny Cardoso’s career reflects his steady development as a midfielder, with notable contributions in both South American and European competitions. His versatility and work rate have made him a valuable asset for both club and country.
FAQs
1. Who is Johnny Cardoso?
Johnny Cardoso, full name João Lucas de Souza Cardoso, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Real Betis in Spain’s La Liga and represents the United States national team. He was born on September 20, 2001, in Denville, New Jersey.
2. What position does Johnny Cardoso play?
Johnny Cardoso primarily plays as a central or defensive midfielder. He is known for his technical ability, tactical intelligence, and strong presence in the midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively for his teams.
3. Which clubs has Johnny Cardoso played for professionally?
Johnny Cardoso began his professional career with Internacional in Brazil, where he made his first-team debut in 2019. In 2024, he transferred to Real Betis in Spain, where he continues to play in La Liga.
4. What is Johnny Cardoso’s nationality and background?
Johnny Cardoso was born in the United States to Brazilian parents, making him eligible to represent both countries. He holds American, Brazilian, and Italian citizenships, but chose to play for the United States national team.
5. When did Johnny Cardoso make his debut for the United States national team?
Johnny Cardoso made his senior debut for the United States national team on November 12, 2020, coming off the bench in a friendly match against Wales.
6. What are some of Johnny Cardoso’s career highlights?
One of Johnny Cardoso’s notable achievements is helping the United States win the 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League. He also became a regular starter for Internacional at a young age and secured a move to a top European league with Real Betis.
7. How tall is Johnny Cardoso and what is his playing style?
Johnny Cardoso stands 6 feet (1.82 meters) tall. He is recognized for his cerebral and technical approach to the game, combining strong defensive skills with the ability to distribute the ball effectively from midfield.
8. What is Johnny Cardoso’s current contract situation?
Johnny Cardoso joined Real Betis on January 1, 2024, and his contract with the club runs until June 30, 2029. He wears the number 4 jersey for Betis.
9. Has Johnny Cardoso had any injuries recently?
Johnny Cardoso experienced knee problems in 2024, with a return to play expected around October 18, 2024. Despite this setback, he remains an important player for both club and country.
10. What is Johnny Cardoso’s presence on social media?
Johnny Cardoso is active on Instagram, where he shares highlights from his soccer career and personal life. His account has over 170,000 followers, and he occasionally features family members in his posts.
