“I think it’s important that South Africa in general understands the level of player that Marcelo is,” Cardoso said on SuperSport TV.
“I think he’s a little bit underrated. He was never, until the moment, really recognised by the quality that he has.
“As much as I am concerned I want that he feels pleasure and freedom to play and to express himself. And that freedom allows him, indeed, to look for other spaces, for other things," he added.
“And I stay pretty happy with what he can show, fantastic player that we all have the privilege to see playing football.”