Position: Midfielder
Born: 25.03.72
Club: Deportivo La Coruna

The old head of Roberto Acuna in Paraguay's midfield will be one of the deciding factors in how the South Americans fare this summer.

Acuna has been the playmaker for the Paraguayans since he made his international debut back in March 1993 and his superb passing and combative tackling has helped his country reach the last 16 stage of the previous two World Cups.

The Argentine-born veteran played in the Avellaneda youth system until the age of 16 but was told his prospects in the country were limited. Acuna then moved to Paraguay and joined top-flight side Nacional where he showed great promise and took up citizenship in his new homeland in 1993 to boost his chances of international football, which paid off immediately.

A move back to Argentina followed, where Acuna became a top player for giants including Independiente and Boca Juniors before he tried his luck in Spain where he has played since 1999 for Real Zaragoza and now Deportivo.

With over 80 caps to his name, he remains a star in his adopted country despite a belated return to the national side for the latter part of the World Cup qualifying campaign where his presence gave them extra spark and steel.

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