Crystal Palace Academy wing-back Rio Cardines has earned a first-ever senior call-up to the Trinidad and Tobago senior side.
Cardines has been at the club since the age of 16, working his way up the age groups from Under-16s through to the Under-21s. He signed his first professional contract in July 2024 ahead of the 2024/25 season.
In the 24/25 campaign, he made 20 appearances for Darren Powell’s U21s, scoring twice and assisting once while predominantly playing as a wing-back on the left or right-hand side.
He had previously played for the Trinidad and Tobago Under-17s side last season in the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship. He played three games and managed to score one goal for Trinidad and Tobago as they made it to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
The 18-year-old also featured for Trinidad and Tobago Under-20s ahead of their 2024 CONCACAF U20 Championship qualifiers. He scored once and registered three assists as the side finished second in their group.
Now Cardines will be a part of the Trinidad and Tobago senior squad for the first time as they take part in the 2025 Unity Cup at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium. He has also been named Dwight Yorke’s provisional squad for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Keep up with how Cardines gets on here, and on our Official Academy X Account.
Click HERE to find out more about all of our Academy prospects on international duty this summer!
All times BST.
Tuesday, 27th May: Jamaica 2-3 Trinidad and Tobago (Cardines played the full 90 minutes)
Saturday, 31st May: Trinidad and Tobago v (Ghana/Nigeria) (TBC)
TBC: Saturday, 7th June: Trinidad and Tobago v St. Kitts and Nevis (00:30)
TBC: Wednesday, 11th June: Costa Rica v Trinidad and Tobago (02:00)
TBC: Sunday, 15th June: USA v Trinidad and Tobago (00:30)
TBC: Thursday, 19th June: Trinidad and Tobago v Haiti (23:45)
TBC: Monday, 23rd June: Saudi Arabia v Trinidad and Tobago (00:00)
