Welcome to our exciting series Passion and Pride, where we dive into the heart of Paraguayan football, spotlighting the 12 teams of the Primera División. In each episode, we will introduce you to one club, uncovering their rich histories, fierce rivalries and special moments that have shaped Paraguay’s top league. In part five of Passion and Pride: 2 de Mayo, club of national heroes in the north.
2 de Mayo: Club Of The North
Club Sportivo 2 de Mayo is widely known by its nickname Gallo Norteño, which translates to “Northern Rooster.” The Norteño part of the nickname directly refers to the club’s location in Pedro Juan Caballero, a city 450 kilometres northeast of Asunción, separated from the Brazilian town of Ponta Porã by just one street! The city is named after the Asunción-born patriot Pedro Juan Caballero, who in 1811 played a decisive role in the Paraguayan fight for independence.
National Heroes
The founding and the name of Club Sportivo 2 de Mayo in 1935 also are deeply intertwined with Paraguay’s military history, though specifically the aftermath of the Chaco War (1932–1935). The football club was founded on 6 December 1935 by a group of veterans who had served in the Infantry Regiment No. 1 2 de Mayo, a military unit named in honour of the date – 2 May 1855 – when their regiment was established.
The Chaco War had just concluded and in the city of Pedro Juan Caballero, these veterans sought to channel their camaraderie and pride into a new, friendlier battle field: a football pitch. The choice of the name 2 de Mayo directly honoured their regiment, reflecting their military roots and the sense of unity forged during the war.
Why The Rooster?
So, what about the “Rooster” part of the nickname? The term Gallo is a common symbol in Latin American culture, often associated with boldness, pride, and a fighting spirit – qualities that resonate with Club Sportivo 2 de Mayo’s identity. The rooster imagery aligns with the military valour and resilience of its founders, the warriors of the north.
In recent years, 2 de Mayo players have embodied the fighting spirit the club is renowned for, securing their return to the top tier of Paraguayan football in 2024.
“Pup Guardiola”
During the club’s time in the lower leagues, a dog named Tesapará, meaning “multicoloured eyes” or “light eyes” in the Guaraní language, became famous as the team’s mascot. In 2018, Tesapará’s rise to worldwide fame began when she started appearing regularly at the Estadio Monumental Río Parapití, the club’s home stadium.
Tesapará would wander onto the pitch during training sessions, often following coach Carlos Jara Saguier, who led 2 de Mayo during this period. For her affection and loyalty to him, even accompanying him on the bench in several matches, she was named an honorary assistant coach. Tesapará, or “Pup Guardiola”, suffered from health problems in the years that followed and sadly passed away in mid-2020.
You can follow 2 de Mayo on Instagram here.
Coming Up… In part six of Passion and Pride we spotlight Cerro Porteno, nicknamed “Club del Pueblo”: The People’s club. Where “Doña Susana” is recognised as the first woman to found a professional football club in Paraguay!
To read the previous episode about Atlético Tembetary, you can click here.
