Bayern Munich's 17-year-old forward Maycon Cardozo suffered a shoulder injury shock and had to be taken to hospital on Saturday. The Brazilian had just provided an assist for the second team in their Regionalliga match against FV Illertissen before being substituted.
The injury occurred in the 79th minute of the match, which Bayern II won 2-0. Cardozo had set up the first goal for 16-year-old Bastian Assomo, another of the record champions' youngest talents. After being substituted, Cardozo initially remained on the bench and was comforted by 46-year-old goalkeeping coach Jaroslav Drobny, as reported by Bild. Subsequently, player-manager Tabea Reul accompanied the youth player to an ambulance and went with him to the hospital.
How serious is Cardozo's injury?
A precise diagnosis is not yet available. Cardozo was examined at the hospital, and further tests are pending. The exact extent of the shoulder injury therefore remains unclear. For the talented attacker, this is a major setback after he showed strong performances during the current pre-season. He was part of FC Bayern's Asia tour in early August and featured in friendly matches against Leipzig and Heidenheim. Against third-division side Wehen Wiesbaden he even started the match, which ended in a 1-2 loss. His best performance so far came against Rottach-Egern, where he scored in the 45th+3 and 49th minutes, contributing to a 15-0 victory.
What role does Cardozo play at Bayern Munich?
Maycon Cardozo is considered one of the biggest talents in the youth setup of the German record champions. The Brazilian, who grew up in Thailand and has Portuguese roots, had impressed during pre-season under manager Vincent Kompany, 40, and sporting director Max Eberl, 52. Eberl said about the young players: "Es macht einfach Spaß, ihnen zuzugucken. Sie adaptieren bei uns, bei den Profis." Cardozo's injury is the second major blow to the talent pipeline in a short time. Nineteen-year-old right winger Tim Binder, who also stood out during pre-season, recently suffered a muscle fiber tear in his left thigh. The club's current injury list can be viewed on our injuries page.
What does the win mean for Bayern II?
The 2-0 victory against FV Illertissen was an important step for the second team under their new coach Dante. For the 42-year-old, it was his first win after eight games without a victory. The goals were scored by Bastian Assomo and another player. The win gives the team new momentum for the upcoming tasks in the Regionalliga. The complete stats for the second team are available online.
What's next for Bayern Munich?
FC Bayern must await developments regarding Maycon Cardozo. If the shoulder injury proves to be long-term, it would be a severe loss for the youth development program. The club heavily relies on its own talents, as demonstrated by their integration into pre-season preparations. For coach Dante, the first win is a positive sign, even though the loss of Cardozo weakens the attack. Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany's first team, who won the double last season, are preparing for their next competitive matches. The current squad roster shows the depth of the team. The next steps for Cardozo will be determined by medical examinations and a precise prognosis.
