| Nicolás Cardona | |
| Fullname: | Nicolás Javier Cardona Ruiz |
| Birth Date: | 11 February 1999 |
| Birth Place: | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in |
| Position: | Defender |
| Currentclub: | Miami FC |
| Clubnumber: | 4 |
| Youthclubs1: | GPS Conquistadores de Guaynabo |
| Collegeyears1: | 2018–2019 |
| College1: | Assumption Greyhounds |
| Collegecaps1: | 33 |
| Collegegoals1: | 2 |
| Years1: | 2020 |
| Clubs1: | Almenara Atlètic |
| Caps1: | 8 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2020–2021 |
| Caps2: | 0 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2021 |
| Caps3: | 21 |
| Goals3: | 1 |
| Years4: | 2022–2023 |
| Caps4: | 61 |
| Goals4: | 5 |
| Years5: | 2024– |
| Caps5: | 3 |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2018 |
| Nationalteam1: | Puerto Rico U20 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 5 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Nationalyears2: | 2021– |
| Nationalteam2: | Puerto Rico |
| Nationalcaps2: | 17 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 1 |
| Pcupdate: | March 26, 2024 |
| Nationalteam-Update: | June 11, 2024 |
Nicolás Javier Cardona Ruiz (born February 11, 1999) is a Puerto Rican footballer who currently plays as a defender for Miami FC in the USL Championship.
Cardona made his international debut for Puerto Rico in a 1–0 win over the Dominican Republic. He had previously played in friendlies with the team including a match against his future club, Hartford Athletic in 2019.[1] On June 1, 2021, Cardona was named as captain for Puerto Rico in the team's 7–0 win over the Bahamas during 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.[2]
Cardona signed with USL Championship team Hartford Athletic on February 22, 2021. He had previously spent time with the U23 team of Spanish club UB Conquense.[1] Cardona scored his first professional goal on June 19, 2021 when he scored the go ahead goal in Hartford's 2-1 win over Loudoun United in the 94th minute.[3]
On February 22, 2022, Cardona signed with USL League One club Chattanooga Red Wolves.[4]
Cardona joined Miami FC on the USL Championship on December 18, 2023.[5]