On 15 April 2026, Oscar “Tacuara” Cardozo retired from professional football. Paraguayan football bid farewell to one of its most iconic figures. This brings an end to a career spanning more than two decades, defined by goals and titles. Also, an indelible mark both in Paraguay and abroad.
His retirement not only closes a chapter, but also cements his place as Paraguay’s all-time leading scorer. Cardozo was a striker who transcended generations and adapted to different contexts without ever losing his essence: power, precision, and a left foot feared on any pitch.
Tacuara’s early years
Oscar “Tacuara” Cardozo began his career at Club 3 de Febrero from Ciudad del Este in 2004. After scoring 20 goals in the Paraguayan second division and gaining promotion, he was transferred to Club Nacional in the First Division for the 2005 season. He stayed in Nacional for only a year, again being transferred. This time to Argentinian side Newell´s Old Boys.
His nickname “Tacuara” earned due to his figure. The tacuara is a Guaraní word which means “cane” or “bamboo”. He was given this nickname due to his tall stature (1.93 meters) and slim, strong physical build, similar to the plant. Being nicknamed “Tacuara” is actually common in Paraguay.
A rapid rise in Argentina
In Argentina, he joined other Paraguayan players like Diego Gavilán, Justo Villar (the goalkeeper of the national team) and Santiago Salcedo “Sasá”.
He rapidly became key in the team, scoring 21 goals in the 2006-2007 season and became a fan favourite, as well saving the team from relegation. His good performances in the Argentinian league won him the status of cult player for Argentinian football fans.
Benfica, where “Tacuara” Cardozo became a legend
His excellent performances in Newell´s gained “Tacuara” Cardozo a spot in the 2007 Copa América with the national team. He became Paraguayan football player of the year and was transferred to Portuguese side S.L. Benfica. There, “Tacuara” cemented his legacy. Over several seasons, he became once again, a fan favourite.
He also became one of the club’s all-time stop scorers. Cardozo won multiple Primeira Liga Titles and domestic titles. Thanks to his performances, he also won the heart of Benfica supporters. Twice he was the top scorer of the Portuguese league and consistently delivered in decisive matches. In Benfica, however, he lost two international finals in 2013 and 2014, in the UEFA Europa League.
Oscar “Tacuara” Cardozo became the club’s top foreign scorer with 172 goals. In Portugal, he was not only a prolific scorer, but an idol. His powerful left foot, especially from free kicks and long-range shots became his trade mark. Even years after his departure, Benfica fans continue to regard him as on the club’s modern legends. He also became a cult player for European football fans, just like in Argentina.
After Benfica
Following his successful spell in Lisbon, he continued his career at Turkish side Trabzonspor and later Greek football team Olympiacos, one of Greece’s most historic clubs.
Despite a shorter spell, his arrival was marked by a remarkable reception. Greek fans welcomed him with enthusiasm and respect, recognising his status as an elite striker. His reputation had clearly travelled ahead of him. That moment symbolised something bigger than statistics: “Tacuara” Cardozo had become a globally respected figure in football. Both in Greece and Turkey he provided good performances, proving that he still had the will and the scorer mind with him.
International duty
With the Paraguayan national team, Cardozo was part of a historic generation. He featured in major tournaments such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where Paraguay reached the quarter-finals for the first time. His most memorable moment came in the round of 16 against Japan. He scored the decisive penalty that sent Paraguay through to that historic stage, a moment that firmly elevated him to national hero status.
He also experienced difficult moments, such as the missed penalty against Spain in the next round. Nonetheless, his legacy with the national team remains defined by his willingness to take responsibility in the most crucial moments. For instance, when he scored against Colombia a late equalizer in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, giving Paraguayan football fans joy and hope.
The return and final years at Libertad
In 2017, after more than a decade abroad, he returned home to wear the shirt of Club Libertad. Far from being a symbolic ending, his time back in Paraguayan football proved highly productive. With Libertad, he once again became a central figure, surpassed 100 goals for the club. “Tacuara” played a key role in securing several domestic titles, remaining competitive even in the final stretch of his career.
This proves that his instinct had not faded with time. Even in his later years, he remained a decisive player, a leader in the dressing room and a reference for younger generations. His presence elevated the local league and gave fans the chance to witness, once again, a striker who had conquered international football.
His departure from the club at the end of 2025 marked the beginning of the conclusion. With no move materialising to Cerro Porteño, the club of his childhood, Cardozo ultimately chose to bring his career to a definitive close.
A goal scorer that scored more than goals
Beyond the numbers, which exceed 400 official goals throughout his career, Tacuara’s story is one of consistency, evolution, and longevity. He was a striker who reinvented himself over time: from a promising talent in Paraguay to a star in Europe. From an international reference to a leader in domestic football, always with goals as his universal language.
His retirement leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, but also sets a clear benchmark for future generations. In a country that has historically produced great forwards, the name Oscar “Tacuara” Cardozo is already written among the greatest. Because if anything defined his career, it was not just the number of goals, but the weight carried by each of them.
