# Who is the best player in Paraguay national team history?

> Paraguay may be small, but La Albirroja has produced extraordinary talent — from one of history's greatest forwards to a goalkeeper who scored from free kicks. Who is Paraguay's finest?

*By YPB Team · Published May 22, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-player-in-paraguay-national-team-history*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Arsenio Erico**
   Widely regarded as Paraguay's greatest ever player, the all-time top scorer in Argentine Primera División history with an astonishing 295 goals — a lethal goal-machine of the 1930s and 40s.
2. **José Luis Chilavert**
   Legendary goalkeeper and free-kick specialist who was named the world's best goalkeeper three times in the 1990s and is the only keeper to score a hat-trick in professional football.
3. **Roque Santa Cruz**
   Paraguay's most celebrated striker of his generation, earning moves to Bayern Munich, Blackburn Rovers, and Manchester City after starring at the 2002 World Cup.
4. **Julio César Romero**
   Creative playmaker nicknamed 'Romerito' who shone at the 1986 World Cup and was considered the best South American player not named Maradona in his era.
5. **Carlos Gamarra**
   Imposing central defender and long-serving captain who formed the backbone of Paraguay's famous stubborn defence across four World Cup campaigns spanning over a decade.
6. **Salvador Cabañas**
   Prolific striker who tore apart South American defences with Club América in Mexico before his career was tragically cut short by a shooting incident in 2010.
7. **Óscar Cardozo**
   Clinical penalty-taker and prolific scorer who was instrumental in Paraguay's remarkable run to the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, netting the decisive spot-kick against Japan.
8. **Roberto Acuña**
   Hard-tackling, technically gifted midfielder who anchored Paraguay's midfield throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s during their best-ever World Cup campaigns.
9. **Justo Villar**
   Reliable, commanding goalkeeper who succeeded Chilavert as Paraguay's first choice and was a crucial presence in their memorable 2010 World Cup quarter-final run.
10. **Edgar Benítez**
   Versatile attacking midfielder who was a key creative force during Paraguay's remarkable run to the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, providing invention and work rate in equal measure.
11. **Nelson Cuevas**
   Pacy, inventive winger who provided flair and moments of brilliance for Paraguay in the early 2000s and was a cult hero among fans for his direct, unpredictable style.
12. **Raúl Vicente Amarilla**
   Combative and skilful forward from the 1980s who was an important creative spark in Paraguay's Copa América campaigns and carved out a solid career in Argentine football.
13. **Celso Ayala**
   Dependable, tireless defensive midfielder and versatile defensive player who served Paraguay loyally across dozens of international caps during the 1990s and 2000s.

Tags: sports, football, players, south america, national teams, paraguay