Mathías Villasanti returns to Paraguay national team

Mathías Villasanti, the 29-year-old Grêmio midfielder, has been recalled to the Paraguay national team by manager Gustavo Alfaro. This marks his return to the squad following a significant knee injury involving cruciate ligaments that prevented him from participating in the 2026 World Cup.

Villasanti described the experience of being called up again as feeling “as if it were the first time.” He noted that while the period following his injury was a difficult stage in his career, he views this return not as a personal revenge, but as the beginning of a new process for the team.

He is expected to participate in upcoming friendly matches against Bolivia on September 27 and Colombia on October 2. Villasanti expressed confidence in the team's trajectory, suggesting that if they maintain the form shown during the World Cup, they can achieve significant goals heading toward 2030.