Crystal Palace Academy wing-back Rio Cardines earned a first-ever senior call-up to the Trinidad and Tobago senior side and managed to make his debut.
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.
Cardines was named in the Trinidad and Tobago senior squad for the first time as they took part in the 2025 Unity Cup at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium.
He made his senior debut for Trinidad and Tobago against Jamiaca, where he played the full match in a late 3-2 defeat. He almost scored directly from a free-kick to make it 2-2, though he struck the post and Kevin Molino converted the rebound.
The Soca Warriors unfortunately fell to a 4-0 defeat to Ghana in the third-place play-off, though Cardines was an unused substitute. He then continued to be a part of the Trinidad and Tobago side, ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Saint Kitts and Nevis and Costa Rica.
He was unused substitute in their 6-2 win over Saint Kitts and Nevis, but he did start against Costa Rica. Cardines played through the entire first-half before being subbed off at half-time against the group leaders.
Cardines was also been named Dwight Yorke’s squad for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he will face the United States (hosts), Haiti and Saudi Arabia. He came on in the 62nd minute against the United States, though Trinidad and Tobago fell to a 5-0 defeat.
He then started the following two games in the Gold Cup against Saudi Arabia and Haiti, playing the full 90 minutes in both. Unfortunately, both games ended 1-1 and Trinidad & Tobago were knocked out of their group.
Cardines finished the season with five senior appearances for the Trinidad and Tobago national team, on top of 20 for the U21s.
Click HERE to find how all of our Academy prospects got on during 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 0-4 Ghana (Cardines was an unused substitute)
Saturday, 7th June: Trinidad and Tobago 6-2 St. Kitts and Nevis (Cardines was an unused substitute)
Wednesday, 11th June: Costa Rica 2-1 Trinidad and Tobago (Cardines played the first-half)
Sunday, 15th June: USA 5-0 Trinidad and Tobago (Carindes came on in the 62nd minute)
Thursday, 19th June: Trinidad and Tobago 1-1 Haiti (Cardines played the full 90 minutes)
Monday, 23rd June: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Trinidad and Tobago (Cardines played the full 90 minutes)
