The 13th edition of this series brings one of our talents playing abroad to our little corner. Miguel Cardoso – Мигел Кардозу in Russian – plays in the Russian Premier League for Dynamo Moscow and has been a huge Football Manager fan for over 15 years!
Having spent most of his youth training at Benfica, he finished it at Real SC and it was also there that he took his first steps at senior level. From there came his spell at Deportivo de La Coruña before returning to Portugal two seasons later: first at União da Madeira and finally at Tondela, the club where he finally managed to show and unlock all the qualities expected of him, which earned him a move to the historic Russian club, Dynamo Moscow.
Join us in this conversation and find out more about this Portuguese star!
FMPortugal.net: How did this passion of yours for CM/FM come about?
Miguel Cardoso: This passion for the game started by watching my brother play, back when it was still CM. That's when I got 'hooked', and it's lasted right up to today.
FMPortugal.net: What was your reaction the first time you saw yourself in CM/FM? Do you usually interact with your 'player'?
Miguel Cardoso: Before I was added to the game, I remember always wanting to see myself so I could sign myself and follow my growth, but as soon as I appeared I actually never played with my own player. (laughs)
FMPortugal.net: Do you usually follow your player's career path? Or do you always try to bring him to whichever team you're managing? (laughs)
Miguel Cardoso: Even though I felt that huge urge at first, I ended up never steering him anywhere. I confess I occasionally check in to see how he's developing, but I don't follow him regularly.
FMPortugal.net: Regarding how you're portrayed in FM, what would you change for better… and worse? You're currently under the 'control' of our colleagues in charge of Russia, but we can have a word with them….! (laughs)
Miguel Cardoso: The research team, watching us 'from the outside', knows better than anyone the numbers they set for each player. Of course we'd always like a bit more in certain attributes, but since all of this is subjective, I can fairly say I'm generally happy with the profile they gave me. Well done to them!
FMPortugal.net: Confess: do you usually restart when 'that' final or 'that' vital match goes badly for you, or do you face the board and fans after the setback and try to win them back with new results?
Miguel Cardoso: When I started playing CM, and also in the early FM days, I confess I cheated a bit because I never liked losing! (laughs). But not nowadays: I try to keep my playthrough as realistic as possible.
FMPortugal.net: Do you play (or have you ever played) with fellow professionals? What memories do you have of those times?
Miguel Cardoso: I was never really one for playing online and sharing saves saves with teammates, but apart from that, there are always some funny moments, like taking my hometown team up to the Primeira Liga, or becoming champion with Vitória SC right in the second season.
FMPortugal.net: Lastly, setting 'virtual reality' aside for a moment, after having already played abroad for Deportivo de La Coruña, last season you signed for a historic Russian club: Dynamo Moscow. Was it hard adapting to Russia? What were the main differences you felt compared to Portugal?
Miguel Cardoso: I confess that for the first six months, until I settled into the team and the city, it was a bit tough, even though I'd already had experience abroad before, but since that was Spain, we don't feel the difference from our country as much.
Beyond the language barrier, their way of being was another of my initial shocks, since they're much colder and nowhere near as welcoming as, say, the Portuguese. The writing was another thing that really confused me, because no matter how hard we try, we can't understand a single word of what it says! (laughs) But all of this is part of the adjustment we go through in any country, so after all these months I'm now completely settled in and really enjoying being here.
Quick Questions:
First edition you played?
CM 03/04
Favourite edition?
None in particular. It always ends up being addictive! (laughs)
Favourite league to play in?
Portuguese League
Favourite team to play as?
None! (laughs) I always look for lower-division teams, or to start unemployed.
Favourite player you've ever had in any edition?
Evandro Roncatto (good times when we played CM!)
Best club you've seen your player transfer to (without any influence from you)?
Honestly, I don't even know! (laughs) I'll leave that question for whoever reads this interview to go check where I am.
Miguel Cardoso, an example of persistence and continuous dedication that led him to success! Despite seasons where he didn't get the opportunities he wanted and deserved, he always fought until he managed to show all the ability he had, and that's what got him to where he is today: at the top level.
