 As a result of his performances, he was voted the 2006 Paraguayan Footballer of the Year.On 21 June 2007, Cardozo officially signed for Portuguese club Benfica, after being bought for an approximate €9.1 million for 80% of his playing rights– this made him the second most expensive signing in the club's history, only surpassed by Simão for whom the club paid €13 million in 2001.Cardozo finished his first season with 22 official goals, but Benfica came out empty in silverware.