Famous Paraguayan Football Players

Roque Santa Cruz is a Paraguayan professional footballer known for his prolific goal-scoring abilities. He has played for various clubs including Olimpia, Bayern Munich, Blackburn Rovers, and Manchester City. Santa Cruz has also represented the Paraguay national team in multiple FIFA World Cup and Copa América tournaments. Throughout his career, he has won numerous titles and accolades, showcasing his talent and skill on the field. Santa Cruz's impact on the football world is evident through his record-breaking goal-scoring feats across four decades.

José Luis Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former professional footballer known for his exceptional goalkeeping skills and versatile playing style. Throughout his career, he achieved notable success with clubs such as Vélez Sarsfield and the Paraguay national team. Chilavert was a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner and won numerous club titles, including the 1994 Copa Libertadores. Renowned for his leadership, strong personality, and goal-scoring ability, he scored a remarkable 67 goals as a goalkeeper, showcasing his unique talent and passion for the sport.

Carlos Alberto Gamarra Pavón is a retired Paraguayan professional footballer who played as a centre back. He had a distinguished career characterized by exceptional leadership, physical strength, heading accuracy, and outstanding tackling skills. Gamarra represented the Paraguay national team in 110 international matches, scoring 12 goals. He captained the national team and participated in multiple major tournaments, including FIFA World Cup and Copa América. Gamarra was widely respected as one of South America's top defenders and was recognized with awards such as Paraguayan Footballer of the Year and inclusion in the 1998 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament.

Juan Iturbe is a professional footballer known for his versatility as a winger. He has played for various clubs, including Cerro Porteño, showcasing his skills on the field. Iturbe has had the unique experience of representing both Paraguay and Argentina at different levels of international competition. His decision to switch allegiances between the two countries has added intrigue to his career, demonstrating his commitment to both his country of birth and his parents' country of origin.

Óscar René Cardozo Marín, also known as Tacuara, is a Paraguayan professional footballer renowned for his powerful left-foot shot and free-kick skills. He made a name for himself at Newell's Old Boys before moving to Benfica in 2007, where he scored nearly 200 official goals and won multiple major titles. Cardozo then played for Trabzonspor in Turkey before joining Olympiacos. He earned over 50 caps for Paraguay and participated in prestigious tournaments like the Copa América and FIFA World Cup, receiving accolades as Paraguayan Footballer of the Year in 2006 and 2009.

Nelson Valdez is a Paraguayan former professional football player turned coach. He played as a striker for various clubs across different countries, including Paraguay, Germany, Spain, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, and the US, as well as for the Paraguay national team. Throughout his career, Valdez achieved success with clubs like Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund, Hércules, Rubin Kazan, Valencia, and Eintracht Frankfurt. He also had a successful stint with the Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer, winning the MLS Cup in his final season. Valdez represented Paraguay in multiple FIFA World Cup and Copa América tournaments, earning over 70 national team appearances and scoring 13 goals.

Justo Villar Viveros is a former professional footballer from Paraguay who specialized as a goalkeeper. Throughout his 22-year career, he played in various countries including Argentina, Spain, and Chile. He represented Paraguay internationally in 120 matches, participating in three World Cups and seven Copa América tournaments. Villar is well-known for his exceptional skills and dedication to the sport, leaving a lasting impact on the football world with his impressive performances on the field.

Lucas Barrios is a Paraguayan professional footballer known for his prowess as a forward. He currently plays for Paraguayan club Sportivo Luqueño and has earned the nickname La Pantera for his effectiveness in the target area. Barrios received his Paraguayan nationality in 2010 and made his debut that same year. In 2008, he was recognized as the top scorer of the year worldwide by the IFFHS, showcasing his exceptional goal-scoring abilities and talent on the field.

Cristian Miguel Riveros Núñez is a Paraguayan professional footballer known for his role as a defensive midfielder for Libertad. He has represented Paraguay in international competitions since 2005, earning 99 caps for his country. Riveros has participated in two FIFA World Cup tournaments and three Copa América events. In 2015, he was recognized as the most expensive player in Paraguay by a local newspaper. Riveros' career highlights include his skilled performance on the field and his contributions to the success of his national team.

Raúl Bobadilla is a skilled professional footballer known for his role as a striker at Swiss club FC Schaffhausen. With a background in Argentine football, he brings a wealth of experience to the field. Bobadilla's talents have also been recognized on the international stage, as he represents the Paraguay national team. Known for his goal-scoring abilities and versatility on the pitch, Bobadilla has made a name for himself as a dynamic and impactful player in both club and international competitions.

Antolín Alcaraz Viveros is a former professional footballer from Paraguay who played as a centre-back. Throughout his career, he played for various clubs including Beira-Mar, Club Brugge, Wigan Athletic, Everton, and Las Palmas. Alcaraz also represented his national team at prestigious tournaments such as the 2010 World Cup and the 2011 Copa América, where he played a key role in helping Paraguay reach the final. Known for his defensive skills and versatility, he had a successful career in both domestic and international football.

Romerito, a Paraguayan former professional footballer, excelled as a midfielder, earning a reputation as one of the greatest players in Paraguayan football history. He was honored by Pelé in 2004, being the only Paraguayan player named in the prestigious FIFA 100 list. Throughout his career, Romerito showcased exceptional skills, contributing significantly to various teams he played for. His talent and achievements on the field solidified his status as a football legend, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.

Jessica Santacruz is a Paraguayan footballer known for her contributions to both her national team and club, FC Wacker Innsbruck in Austria. She has represented Paraguay in international competitions such as the Copa América Femenina in 2010 and 2014. Santacruz's talent and dedication to the sport have made her a valuable asset on the field, showcasing her skills as a midfielder. With a successful career spanning years, she continues to leave a mark in the world of women's football.

Jennifer Magalí Mora Cáceres is a Paraguayan footballer known for her role as a defender on both the Paraguay women's national team and the national under-20 team. She has showcased her talent on international stages such as the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and the 2014 Copa América Femenina. Mora's professional career highlights her skills and dedication to the sport, making her a valuable asset to her teams with her strong defensive capabilities and contributions to their success in various tournaments.

Florencio Amarilla Lacasa was a versatile Paraguayan professional who excelled in football, coaching, and acting. Known for his skills as a striker, he began his career with Club Nacional in Paraguay before moving to Europe to play for prestigious clubs such as Elche CF and Real Oviedo in Spain. Amarilla also represented Paraguay on the international stage, notably as a top scorer in the 1958 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and during the tournament itself, showcasing his talent and contributing significantly to his team's success.

Fany Gauto is a Paraguayan professional footballer known for her role as a midfielder for SC Internacional, a Brazilian Série A1 club, and the Paraguay women's national team. She has showcased her talent on the field by representing Paraguay in various competitions including the 2012 South American U-20 Women's Championship and the 2014 Copa América Femenina. Gauto's skills and dedication have allowed her to excel at both the youth and senior levels of women's football, making her a valuable asset to her teams.

Jessica Martínez is a Paraguayan professional footballer known for her role as a forward for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Women's Premier League and the Paraguay women's national team. With experience in the national under-20 and under-17 teams, she has showcased her talent and skills on various platforms. Martínez's dedication to the sport has earned her a reputation as a skilled player with a promising future in women's football.

Laura Elisa Romero Jara is a Paraguayan footballer known for her role as a forward in both the Argentine club San Lorenzo de Almagro and the Paraguay women's national team. She began her career at Olimpia and later transitioned to Sportivo Luqueño in 2012. Romero's senior debut for the Paraguay national team occurred on 7 November 2019, during a friendly match against Argentina where her team suffered a 1–2 loss. Her contributions to both club and national teams highlight her talent and dedication to the sport.

Dulce Quintana is a talented Paraguayan footballer known for her skills as a defender. She currently plays for Spanish club SE AEM and represents the Paraguay women's national team. Her experience extends to playing for the Paraguay women's U20 team, showcasing her dedication and development in the sport. With a strong presence on the field, Quintana contributes to her teams with her defensive prowess and strategic gameplay, making her a valuable asset in both club and international competitions.

Jessica Sánchez Cáceres is a talented Paraguayan footballer known for her skills as a forward. She currently plays for Brazilian Série A2 club Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas and represents the Paraguay women's national team. Sánchez has showcased her abilities on an international stage, including participating in the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Her senior debut in a friendly match against Venezuela in 2019 highlighted her growing presence in the world of professional football. With a promising career ahead, Sánchez continues to impress fans and critics alike with her performances.

Adolfo Jara Heyn is a versatile professional with experience as a football midfielder, futsal player, and coach. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep understanding of the game and showcased his skills on the field. As a midfielder, he displayed excellent technique and strategic thinking, contributing to his team's success. Transitioning into coaching, Jara Heyn shared his knowledge and expertise with players, guiding them to reach their full potential. His passion for the sport and dedication to improving both as a player and a coach have defined his professional journey.

Verónica Riveros is a Paraguayan professional footballer known for her role as a centre back. She currently plays for Brazilian Série A1 club Avaí FC and represents the Paraguay women's national team. Riveros has also previously played for the national under-20 team, showcasing her talent and dedication at a young age. With her skills and experience, she has become a key player in both club and international competitions, making significant contributions on the field as a reliable and versatile defender.