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20 Best Football (Soccer) Players from Paraguay

Originally published by Julius in October 2022 and Updated by Ian S in May 2024.

Paraguay is one of the best countries from South America with football as its most popular sport in Paraguay. Paraguay’s national team has played at eight FIFA World Cup competitions and has won two Copa América tournaments.

Olimpia Asunción is the country’s most successful club in domestic and international competitions. Paraguay’s football leagues are divided into four divisions. In 2020, Paraguay’s top-tier was ranked 8th in the world by the IFFHS. 

Let’s take a look at some of the best players from Paraguay;

1.Jose Luis Chilavert

Jose L. Chilavert posing with the River Plate goalkeeper shirt Photo sourced from

Jose Luis Felix Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.He was renowned for being a fast and agile shot-stopper, known for his leadership, strong personality, and goalkeeping ability. He was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in his prime. 

He could also play outfield with his ability as a free kick specialist, and often took penalties. He represented Paraguay national team 74 times from 1989 to 2003, scoring 8 goals and representing the team at five major tournaments. He scored a total of 67 goals in his career which one of the best for a goalkeeper. 

2.Arsenio Erico

Paraguayan striker Arsenio Erico while playing for CA Independiente.
Photo sourced by

Arsenio Pastor Erico Martinez was a Paraguayan football striker. He is the all-time highest goalscorer in the Argentine first division, with 295 goals. Erico is also considered the best Paraguayan footballer of all time. He was known for his playing style, he was a striker noted for his technique, finishing and aerial ability.

He is considered as one of greatest players to have played in the Argentinean league.He died of heart attack on 23rd July 1977 after he had had his left leg had to be cut off. Several places and stadiums have been named in his honor and has been praised by some of the greatest players to be among the all time best. 

3.Roque Santa Cruz

Roque Santa Cruz Photo by Paolo Camera

Roque Luis Santa Cruz who was born on 16th  August 1981 is a Paraguayan footballer who plays as a striker for Paraguayan club Club Libertad. He is the record goal scorer with 32 goals and has earned over 100 caps for the Paraguay national team, thus he is regarded as one of the best players in the nation’s history. 

He played for some of the best teams in the world including Manchester City and Bayern Munich and scored some of the most crucial goals to help his clubs. Roque Santa Cruz caused problems for opposing defences with his natural flair for goalscoring and surging runs into the penalty box. 

4.Miguel Almiron

Miguel Angel Almiron Rejala who was born on 10th February 1994 is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Newcastle United and the Paraguay national team. He can play in the wings and in the middle of the attacking three behind the main striker. 

Almiron made his international debut for Paraguay in 2015, and represented the country at the Copa América in 2016, 2019 and 2021.He has represented Paraguay in 47 appearances scoring 6 goals in the process. He has also been voted the Paraguay player of the year twice in 2017 and 2018.

4.Paulo da Silva

Paulo Cesar da Silva Barrios who was born on 1 February 1980 is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays for 12 de Octubre in Paraguay, as a centre-back.He is known as one of the toughest defenders with tackling ability which always makes him to stand out. 

He has represented his country Paraguay in a total of 150 appearances from 2000 to 2017 and scoring 3 goals in the process making him the country’s all time most capped player. He is also capable of playing in all the defending roles including the defensive midfield. 

5.Angel Romero

Angel Rodrigo Romero Villamayor who was born on 4th July 1992, more commonly known as Angel Romero, is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as a winger for Liga MX club Cruz Azul and the Paraguay national team. He is the twin brother of Oscar Romero. 

He has represented the Paraguay national team in a total of 41 appearances and scored 8 goals in the process. He has also played fir several top clubs including Brazil top club Corinthians where he has spent most of his top flight career. 

6.Carlos Gamarra

Carlos Gamarra was a Paraguayan player who played as a defender for the Paraguay national team. He was widely considered a top defender in South America during his peak years. He played in Paraguay, Brazil, Greece, Italy and Portugal. 

He was named as the Paraguayan Footballer of the Year in 1997 and 1998, and was also included in the 1998 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament.He  was known for his leadership, physical strength, ability in the air, heading accuracy, and outstanding tackling skills, which made him one of the most respected defenders in South America. 

7.Jose Cardozo

Jose Saturnino Cardozo Otazu who was born on 19th March 1971 is a Paraguayan football manager and former professional footballer. He played as a striker and spent 10 years of his career playing for Toluca and is the club’s all-time top goalscorer. He also managed Toluca in 2013 up to 2016.

Cardozo earned 82 caps for Paraguay between 1991 and 2006, putting him ninth in their most-capped players of all time, with his haul of 25 international goals the second most for the nation. He represented them at three Copa America tournaments, two FIFA World Cups, and the 2004 Olympic tournament, winning silver in the latter. 

8.Oscar Romero

Oscar David Romero Villamayor who was born on 4th July 1992 is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Argentine Primera División club Boca Juniors and the Paraguay national team. He is one of the current crop of Paraguayan footballers. 

He is also the twin brother of Angel Romero and has represented the Paraguay national team in a total of 55 appearances and scored 4 goals from the midfield in the process. He has also played for some of the top teams including Boca Juniors, Racing club, nd Shanghai Shenhua. 

9.Gustavo Gomez

Gustavo Gomez is a Paraguayan footballer who currently plays as a defender for and captains the Brazilian Serie A club Palmeiras and the Paraguay national team.Gomez is considered one of the most promising defenders of Paraguay. 

Gustavo is a strong defender capable of playing in any position at the back. He is a hard tackler and good in the air. He was instrumental in Lanus’ style of building attacks from behind. He has represented the Paraguay national team in 59 appearances and scored 4 goals in the process. 

10.Edgar Barreto

Edgar Osvaldo Barreto Caceres who was born 15 July 1984 is a Paraguayan former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder. He spent most of his career in the Italian Serie A, with several clubs including Atalanta and Palermo. 

Barreto earned 60 caps for the Paraguay national team from 2004 to 2011. After winning a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics, he played for the country at three Copa America tournaments and two FIFA World Cups, finishing as runner-up in the 2011 Copa America.

Though Paraguay is not going to the 2022 world cup in Qatar, we could see them in the future with the current squad of some of the best young talents coming through to the national team. 

11. Julio Enciso

James Boyes, , via Wikimedia Commons

Talented players don’t come around often, but Julio César Enciso Espínola is a rare gem in the football world. This Paraguayan prodigy, a forward for Brighton & Hove Albion and the national team, has already etched his name in Premier League history at just 20 years old.

From scoring scintillating goals to setting up memorable victories, Enciso’s skills on the pitch are simply mesmerizing. His meteoric rise makes one thing abundantly clear – he is among the Best Football Players from Paraguay.

12. Omar Alderete

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One of the brightest stars in the world of football, Omar Federico Alderete, is a Paraguayan professional who plays as a defender for La Liga club Getafe and the Paraguay national team.

This versatile talent, capable of excelling both as a center-back and left-back, has already left an indelible mark on the game despite his young age.

From his early days at Cerro Porteño to his stints across clubs like Gimnasia y Esgrima, Huracán, Basel, Hertha BSC, and Valencia, Alderete’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. With his unwavering determination and exceptional skills, he has rightfully earned his place among the Best Football Players from Paraguay.

13. Antonio Sanabria

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Such forwards as Antonio Sanabria Ayala, known as Tony Sanabria, are rare gems in the world of football. This Paraguayan professional plies his trade as a forward for Serie A club Torino and the national team.

From a young age, Sanabria demonstrated his prowess, representing Paraguay at both the under-17 and under-20 levels. His talent was so undeniable that in 2013, he received a call-up to the senior national team for World Cup qualifiers, even before making an official appearance, as Spain was keen to nationalize him.

Sanabria’s full debut came against Germany, where he showcased his skills in a thrilling 3-3 draw. His inclusion in Paraguay’s Copa America Centenario squad further cemented his status, as he made vital contributions against Colombia and the United States. With his lethal finishing and relentless work rate, Sanabria has undoubtedly etched his name among the Best Football Players from Paraguay.

14. Richard Sánchez

Skillful midfielders who can dictate the game’s tempo are a prized asset, and Richard Sánchez exemplifies that quality. The Paraguayan professional plies his trade for Liga MX powerhouse América and the national team.

His journey began at Olimpia, where he honed his skills before leaping the Mexican giants. In March 2018, Sánchez’s talent was recognized with a call-up to the senior Paraguay squad for a match against the USA.

However, it wasn’t until June 5, 2019, that he made his official debut in a friendly against Honduras, leaving an indelible mark by scoring his first international goal at the 2019 Copa America against Argentina in a 1-1 draw. With his creative spark, technical prowess, and knack for clutch performances, Sánchez has undoubtedly cemented his place among the Best Football Players from Paraguay.

15. Júnior Alonso

, , via Wikimedia Commons

For a defender, versatility is a coveted asset, and Júnior Alonso Mujica epitomizes that trait. The Paraguayan footballer excels both as a center-back and left-back for the Russian Premier League club Krasnodar and the national team.

Alonso’s journey to the international stage began in 2013 when he made his senior debut for Paraguay. His defining moment came in a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Ecuador, where he scored the winning goal, his first for the national team, securing a crucial 2-1 victory.

His prowess earned him a spot in Paraguay’s 2019 Copa América squad, where he started every match, playing every minute as they narrowly lost to eventual champions Brazil in the quarter-finals. With his rock-solid defending and clutch performances, Alonso has undoubtedly cemented his status among the Best Football Players from Paraguay.

16. Alexis Duarte

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Stars are born from raw talent and unwavering determination, qualities that Alexis Duarte Pereira possesses in abundance. The Paraguayan professional footballer plies his trade as a center-back for Russian Premier League giants Spartak Moscow.

Hailing from Cerro Porteño’s youth ranks, Duarte made his professional debut in 2019, instantly impressing with a Man of the Match performance. His meteoric rise saw him earn international caps at the U-17 World Cup and U-20 Championship before being called up to Paraguay’s senior squad in 2021 for World Cup qualifiers.

With his commanding presence, tactical awareness, and relentless work ethic, Duarte has undoubtedly etched his name among the Best Football Players from Paraguay.

17. Roberto Fernández

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When you witness a young talent soar to new heights, it’s a sight to behold. Roberto Fernández Urbieta, a Paraguayan professional footballer, is doing just that as a defender for Russian club Dynamo Moscow.

A product of Guaraní’s esteemed youth academy, Fernández made his mark in the Paraguayan Primera División before catching the eye of Dynamo, who secured his services on a five-year deal in 2022.

His leadership qualities were evident from an early age, as he captained Paraguay’s U17 team at the 2017 FIFA World Cup. With his first senior call-up in September 2022, Fernández is poised for greater glories, undoubtedly cementing his status among the Best Football Players from Paraguay.

18. Josué Colmán

Paraguay is a nation that has given the world some extraordinary footballing talents, and Josué Colmán Escobar is no exception. This talented midfielder currently plies his trade for Liga MX club Mazatlán, but his journey began with Cerro Porteño, where he helped capture the 2017 Torneo Clausura championship.

Colmán’s talents were quickly recognized, leading to a move to Orlando City in 2018, where he made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal against the New York Red Bulls.

After a loan stint back at Cerro Porteño and a brief spell with Guaraní, Colmán’s trajectory has continued upward, solidifying his status as one of the Best Football Players from Paraguay.

19. Celso Ortiz

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Celso is a name that resonates with Paraguayan football fans, for it belongs to the talented Celso Ortiz Gamarra, a professional midfielder plying his trade with Liga MX club Pachuca.

His journey began at Cerro Porteño, where his skills caught the attention of Dutch giants AZ Alkmaar, who secured his services on a five-year deal in 2009. Ortiz’s meteoric rise continued as he joined Monterrey in 2016, further cementing his reputation.

With appearances for Paraguay’s U-20 team, including the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and a spot in the 2019 Copa América squad, Ortiz has proven himself time and again, rightfully earning his place among the Best Football Players from Paraguay.

20. Fabián Balbuena

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Football comes naturally to some, and Fabián Balbuena is a prime example. This Paraguayan professional is a commanding center-back for Russian Premier League club Dynamo Moscow and the national team.

Balbuena’s journey began in the Paraguayan Primera División, where he honed his skills with clubs like Cerro Porteño PF, Rubio Ñu, Nacional, and Libertad. His talents soon caught the eye of Brazilian giants Corinthians, where he won multiple titles, including the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2017.

After a successful stint with West Ham United in the Premier League, Balbuena now graces the Russian league with Dynamo Moscow. With over 100 international caps and four Copa América appearances, he has undoubtedly cemented his legacy as one of the Best Football Players from Paraguay.