Maycon Cardozo's journey from Brazil to Bayern Munich via Thailand and the World Squad
Maycon Cardozo's debut for Bayern Munich against Borussia Mönchengladbach was the culmination of a long journey that has taken the 17-year-old from Brazil to Germany via Thailand and the record champions' World Squad youth programme.
"When I came into the changing room after the game, everyone congratulated me on my debut," Cardozo said in the mixed zone with a beaming smile. "I'm really happy and proud," the teenager said after playing 29 minutes, covering four kilometres, playing 13 passes and winning three out of four duels on his Bundesliga debut.
And the teenager has every right to be, having already crossed the globe in search of his dream.
Born in São Paulo, Brazil, the forward spent most of his childhood in Thailand, where his father was a professional footballer. Young Maycon wanted to do the same and soon found his way to the STB Sports Thai Bavaria Academy, which has a close relationship with Bayern.
The key moment in Cardozo's development came when he was selected for Bayern's Global Academy, which brings together youth players from around the world to spend a year training with the club. His efforts there earned him a place in the FC Bayern World Squad - the club's flagship youth programme for international U19 players - at the age of just 15.
"Maycon has learned great technique, can dribble, is nimble, quick and can shoot with both feet," said Roy Makaay, the former Bayern striker who now works as head coach of the World Squad.
On Makaay's recommendation, Cardozo was given a trial with Bayern's U17s in 2024 and earned himself a deal with Germany's record champions.
Although a shoulder injury held up his progress, the Brazilian made the step up to the U19s in summer 2025. By the end of the year he was regularly taking part in training sessions with the senior team and got to take to the field with them for the first time in January's friendly against Red Bull Salzburg.
His first taste of competitive action at the highest level came in March with his second-half appearance in the 4-1 win over Gladbach, getting to take the place of Luis Díaz on the left wing.
It was undoubtedly a huge moment for Cardozo, but his inclusion also says a lot about Bayern's current approach.
The 17-year-old is now the seventh teenager Vincent Kompany has fielded in the Bundesliga in 2025/26, which is more than Bayern have ever done in a league campaign before.
The bigger picture, though, is that the club's heavy investment in youth development, starting with its state-of-the-art Campus opened in 2017, is beginning to bear fruits, with Cardozo the first player to appear for the first team having come through the World Squad or Global Academy.
Others, such as Daniel Francis, Viktor Orakpo and Viktor Beier, have progressed through and made it professionally elsewhere, but never played for Bayern's senior side.
Bundesliga Dream: The DFL's own youth programme
Bayern are of course not the only team in the Bundesliga looking at talent abroad. The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga also has a similar development programme with Bundesliga Dream, allowing young players from around the world an insight into German professional football.
As part of the project, selected young talents are identified through scouting events and partner programmes and then invited to training camps and development programmes. There, they work with coaches from the Bundesliga, learn about modern training methods and gain experience in the professional performance environment of German clubs. The aim of the programme is to promote international talent, facilitate cultural exchange and, at the same time, further expand the global reach of the Bundesliga.
The case of Cardozo is a good example of how valuable such international talent programmes are and how they can pave the way into European professional football.
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