Fábio Rafael Rodrigues Cardoso (born 19 April 1994) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Al Ain, on loan from FC Porto.
Formed at Benfica, where he played only in the reserves, he made over 150 Primeira Liga appearances for Paços de Ferreira, Vitória Setúbal, Santa Clara and Porto.
[1] On 19 December, he had his only call-up to the first team under manager Jorge Jesus, as one of five new faces for a Taça da Liga group game at Olhanense;[2] he was an unused substitute in the 2–1 win.
[9] He made 27 total appearances in his only season, and scored in a 2–1 win over Santa Clara on 26 October to qualify the team to the group stage of the Taça da Liga.
[16] The following 11 January, when his former team Benfica visited the Estádio de São Miguel, he made an error that allowed Haris Seferovic to score and was then sent off just before half time for a foul on Pizzi.
[18] He made his debut on 28 September in a UEFA Champions League group game at home to Liverpool, due to a warm-up injury to Pepe; his team lost 5–1.