Cerro Porteño earned its 35th Paraguayan football league title on the rainy evening of Sunday 30 November, 2025, after defeating Atletico Tembetary, 2-0. After a tough battle against Guarani throughout the league season, things turned on Cerro’s side when they defeated them in matchday 19 (1-0). By becoming the Clausura 2025 champions, Cerro secures its participation in the Copa Libertadores 2026.
“We are champions because, I think, we are not just the best team of this tournament, but the best of the whole year”, stated Alexis Martín Arias, goalkeeper of Cerro and key figure of the team. “We are the team with the most points in both tournaments. We are celebrating here today but it all started in January.”
In Paraguay, the Primera División season is split into two independent tournaments: the Torneo Apertura, and the Torneo Clausura, each with its own complete league table, and its own champion. The club that accumulates the most points across both tournaments in the calendar year gets the top seed for the Copa Libertadores, while the two individual tournament winners also qualify for continental competitions.
Road to the championship
Cerro started the Clausura with a solid victory against General Caballero de Juan León Mallorquin, a team from the department of Alto Paraná (3-1). Back then, Cerro had another coach, Diego Martínez, but after a series of bad results, the board decided to sack him in September. After that, Jorge Achucarro, former football player of Cerro Porteño, took charge and won two crucial matches, against Sportivo Ameliano and Sportivo Luqueño.
Uruguayan Jorge Bava, was eventually appointed as new head coach, and two months later he celebrates with the team. “I made the correct decision”, he affirmed. He thanked former coach Diego Martinez for the important victories in his period, and Jorge Achucarro, who helps him as coach assistant.
When asked about what it means for him this achievement, Bava added: “To be champion in an institution with so much history, with passionate fans that we have here, it is incredible to me”. He remains undefeated as coach of Cerro Porteño.
Clausura 2025 champions key figures
Starting on goal, Alexis Martín Arias earned his place in the initial team with astonishing performances and remaining unbeaten in 11 matches. Following the next line, Lucas Quintana and Gustavo Velázquez conformed a strong solid defence. Blas Riveros, left back, gave six assists, making him one of the top assistants of the league. He appeared in all 22 matches, showing brilliant performance and consistency. Juan Iturbe and Cecilio Dominguez became two of the most important players, being top scorer and top assistant respectively.
Cerro Porteño ends the Clausura 2025 season with 46 points thanks to 13 wins, 7 draws and just 2 lost matches.
What is next for Cerro Porteño?
On December 6, Cerro Porteño is facing General Caballero de Juan León Mallorquín (winner of the Paraguay Cup) in a battle for the Paraguay SuperCup trophy on 6 December 2025. Disputed between the team with most points in Apertura and Clausura, and the winner of Paraguay Cup, this trophy was established a couple years ago, similar to the Community Shield in England.
For more celebrations, find Cerro Porteño on Instagram.
