In a year filled with inspiring stories and uplifting voices, The Asunción Times is proudly publishing this Top 5 Sports Stories of 2025. These are the articles that readers cherished, shared with friends and family, and came back to time and again. By sharing several Top 5’s with our readers on the edge of 2026, we celebrate the very best of human connection, hope, and community in Paraguay in 2025.
1. Albirroja Qualified For The World Cup: Tremendous Moments Of Joy In Asunción
After a fifteen-year hiatus, the Paraguayan national football team, nicknamed the Albirroja, has officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The milestone was achieved following a hard-fought 0–0 draw against Ecuador at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asunción, where a capacity crowd of 42,000 spectators witnessed the historic moment. To honour this achievement, President Santiago Peña declared a national holiday the following day, enabling citizens to participate in widespread celebrations.
The atmosphere in Asunción was electric, with thousands of supporters gathering at designated watch parties in areas such as Carmelitas and the city centre. Landmark locations like the Pantheon of the Heroes became the focal points for festivities, featuring live music from bands such as Kchiporros, fireworks, and giant screens.
Read Albirroja Qualified For The World Cup: Tremendous Moments Of Joy In Asunción.
2. Barreto Legacy Lives On: Edgar Barreto And Son Share 2010 World Cup Memories
Edgar Barreto, a key player in Paraguay’s historic 2010 World Cup campaign, reflected on his footballing journey and the enduring legacy he is passing on to his son, Matías. Settled in the Netherlands after an illustrious career spanning top-tier clubs in Italy and the Eredivisie, the 41-year-old midfielder remains a legendary figure for the Albirroja.
He fondly recalled the golden era of Paraguayan football. Particularly the emotional victory over Japan that saw the nation reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. A milestone that continues to inspire fans and the next generation of players . The family’s sporting tradition looks set to continue as Matías Barreto pursues his own professional football career in the Netherlands, drawing on his father’s extensive experience and mentorship.
Read Barreto Legacy Lives On: Edgar Barreto And Son Share 2010 World Cup Memories.
3. Track Star Camila Pirelli Turns Ambassador, Cheering Asunción’s 2031 Pan Am Victory
Also in the The Asunción Times Top 5 Sports Stories, Camila Pirelli, affectionately known as the “Pantera Guaraní,” stands as one of Paraguay’s most celebrated sporting icons following a distinguished two-decade career in high-performance athletics. A specialist in the heptathlon, Pirelli amassed numerous national records and international medals. Her first significant triumph was a gold medal at the age of seventeen.
After retiring from active competition to protect her physical well-being, she has successfully transitioned into a prominent role as an Ambassador for the Paraguayan Olympic Committee. In her new capacity, Pirelli has become a vital mentor for the next generation. She is offering guidance and emotional support to young athletes during major events such as the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción.
Read Track Star Camila Pirelli Turns Ambassador, Cheering Asunción’s 2031 Pan Am Victory.
4. Meet 17-Year-Old Claudia Martínez, Paraguay’s Copa America Goal-Scoring Star
In 2025, seventeen-year-old Claudia Martínez rapidly ascended to become the focal point of Paraguayan women’s football. This year she earned the title of joint top scorer at the 2025 Women’s Copa América. Hailing from Capitán Bado, a town on the border with Brazil, Martínez overcame a childhood lack of sporting infrastructure to develop into a prolific striker. She then moved to Asunción at fourteen to pursue her professional ambitions.
Now representing Club Olimpia, the player nicknamed “Claudinha” made history as the youngest athlete in recent editions of the tournament to score multiple goals in a single match, confirming her reputation as a “goal-scoring machine.”
Read This is 17-Year-Old Claudia Martínez, Paraguay’s Copa América Goal-Scoring Star.
5. Paraguay Flag Day Glory: Julio Mirena’s Golden Triumph In China
Julio Mirena, a 29-year-old inline speed skater, achieved a historic milestone for Paraguay by securing a gold medal at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China. Competing as the sole representative of his nation in this prestigious event for non-Olympic sports, Mirena triumphed in the 5,000-metre competition.
Remarkably, his victory coincided with Paraguay Flag Day on 14 August, providing a poignant moment of national pride as he raised the tricolour on the global stage. This golden success followed a silver medal in the 10,000-metre event just a day earlier, cementing his status as a world-class athlete.
Read Paraguay Flag Day Glory: Julio Mirena’s Golden Triumph In China.
All the best for 2026!
We hope you loved this look back at The Asunción Times’ Top 5 Sports Stories of 2025. From the bottom of our hearts, and on behalf of the entire team, we thank you for reading, sharing, and being part of our journey. Feliz Año Nuevo, Happy New Year!
