International Factoids: Paraguay

Paraguay is currently in first place in CONMEBOL and ranked 17th in the latest FIFA rankings.

The Paraguayan national team is currenty atop the standings in CONMEBOL qualifying play. The Guaranís have established themselves as a power in South America with successes both at the international and club levels. When you think of Paraguay, players like Roberto Cabañas, Carlos Gamarra, José Amado Nunes, Julio César Romero, Roque Santa Cruz, and who could forget José Luis Chilavert. Also there were players like former Barcelona and Espanyol star Cayetano Ré who won the Pichichi back in the 1964-65 season. There are also players like Denis Caniza, Claudio Morel Rodríguez, Julio César Cáceres, Nelson Haedo Valdez, and Salvador Cabañas leading the way for the national side.

This new generation of players led by Gerardo Martino is enjoying the benefits of having won the silver medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. They have been also able to bounce back from an underachieving performance in the 2006 World Cup as well as a disappointing end to the 2007 Copa América at the hands of Paraguay.

Currently, the Albirroja are only two points away from securing their ticket to the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time; the fifth time in seven tournaments. Although brief, Paraguay made their debut in the World back in 1930, but were manhandled by eventual semifinalist- the USA- 3-0 at the Estadio Parque Central in Montevideo. Since then, there have been several highs and lows. The highest moment in Parauguayan football was when they played eventual World Cup champ France to until Laurent Blanc scored in the 113th minute. Four years later that would happen to them against as Oliver Neuville wold score in the dying minutes of the game to leave them out in the knockout stages yet once again. Now they are ready to make some new memories.

Below are some factoids. This will consistently grow and/or change in time.

All-Time Caps Leaders

Facts courtesy of Wikipedia and the APF

All-Time Goalscorers