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USMNT star Johnny Cardoso battling Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid star Rodrygo for La Liga young Player of the Year award amid Barcelona transfer interest

Friendlies

Colombia

Alongside Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid's Rodrygo, Cardoso has found himself as a contender for the esteemed Young Player of the Year award across La Liga. Despite arriving just <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/usmnt-midfielder-johnny-cardoso-completes-move-real-betis/blt7ecfa5419c8e7438" target="_self">five months ago</a>, he's showed that he is already one of the hottest prospects in Spain.<picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt9df1aca8cdf7efb2/GN1MYZnWcAA6j-5.jpeg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt9df1aca8cdf7efb2/GN1MYZnWcAA6j-5.jpeg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt9df1aca8cdf7efb2/GN1MYZnWcAA6j-5.jpeg?format=jpg" alt="La Liga young Player of the Year nominees" data-source="" data-copyright="La Liga " perform:prop="uuid:blt9df1aca8cdf7efb2;width:1170;height:1457"></picture>

WHAT HAPPENED?

Johnny has had a sensational stretch of form with Real Betis, being one of the top midfielders in La Liga across the second half of the campaign. The 22-year-old has one goal and two assists from a deep lying midfield spot, and his performances in the center of the pitch have even garnered attention from some of the top clubs in Europe. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/johnny-cardoso-barcelona-transfer-rumors-real-betis-la-liga-usmnt-copa-america/blted4ec1149eb3da74" target="_self">Barcelona even have their eyes on him</a> as he continues to impress.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Cardoso is a dual-national with Brazil and the USA, but opted to represent the USMNT when they came calling. He has 11 international caps.

DID YOU KNOW?

Johnny has two matches left in the campaign for Real Betis, with games against Real Sociedad and Real Madrid. Then, he'll turn his attention towards representing the USMNT this summer at the Copa America.

WHAT NEXT FOR JOHNNY?

USMNT star Johnny Cardoso battling Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid star Rodrygo for La Liga young Player of the Year award amid Barcelona transfer interest | Goal.com Nigeria

U.S. international Johnny Cardoso has been nominated for the La Liga Young Player of the Year award amid transfer interest from Barcelona.