Timeline of Maicon Cardoso: Brazilian footballer with a Thai heart before debuting with Bayern Munich's first team.
On 7 Jan 2025 GMT+7, the 17-year-old young man, widely supported by the Thai people, created a major milestone in his football career by making his debut with Bayern Munich's first team as a substitute in a friendly match where the "Bavarians" crushed Austria's strong Red Bull Salzburg 5-0.
Beginnings in Thailand
Maicon Cardoso is the son of Douglas Cardoso, a former well-known Brazilian striker who played many years in the Thai League. As a result, Maicon grew up in Thailand, attended Thai schools, speaks Thai fluently, and absorbed Thai culture from childhood.
His football path began in Thailand with Ratchaburi FC Academy and Bangkok Christian School before advancing to the STB Academy, a long-term youth development program by Sport Thai–Bavaria, an official partner of Bayern Munich.
Showing promise from a young age
In 2018, Maicon gained wider recognition from appearing on the Super10 program, showcasing football skills and sharing a simple yet heartfelt dream—just to give his father a watch—while expressing his love for Thailand and desire to join the Thai national team.
In 2024, Maicon's talent caught the eye of Klaus Augenthaler, president of Bayern Global Academy, during a global youth scouting project. After a rigorous selection, he earned the opportunity to join Bayern Munich's youth camp.
Early 2025, Maicon officially signed as a Bayern Munich U-17 youth player and began making his name in the UEFA Youth League, the youth Champions League. He signed using Portuguese-Brazilian nationality, which seemed to close the door on representing Thailand.
Nonetheless, on 4 Sept 2025, Maicon traveled to Kanchanaburi Province to cheer for Thailand's national team against Fiji and told Thairath sports reporters, "I want to say I have never forgotten Thailand."
After closely supporting the "War Elephants" at the 51st King's Cup in 2025, Maicon returned to Germany to report for training with Bayern Munich's U-19 team.
However, he was soon called up by Bayern Munich first team head coach Vincent Kompany to train with senior players such as Harry Kane, Luis Diaz, Michael Olise, and Joshua Kimmich.
On 6 Jan 2026, another dream came true as Maicon Cardoso played for Bayern Munich's first team, entering the field in the 89th minute of a friendly against Red Bull Salzburg. He contributed to the fifth goal, helping the "Bavarians" secure a 5-0 victory, marking a stunning debut for the first team.