Raúl Cárdenas de la Vega (30 October 1928 – 26 March 2016) was a Mexican professional footballer and manager.

[3] Born in Mexico City, Cárdenas began playing football with Real Club España, making his Mexican Primera División debut against Asturias F.C.

He would play three seasons with España before the club withdrew from the league.

[4] Cárdenas represented the Mexico national team as a player in three FIFA World Cups: 1954, 1958 and 1962 tournaments.

[6] Cárdenas had four separate stints coaching the national team, including in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, held in home soil, where they reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their history.