Omar Alderete
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Paraguay has made an emotional return to the World Cup stage after a 16-year absence, securing their qualification with a tense goalless draw against Ecuador. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the nation, and Sunderland defender Omar Alderete has expressed his heartfelt reflections on the journey to this historic moment.
Omar Alderete said: “I think Gustavo Gómez [Paraguay captain] has many more years here than I do and suffered much more than us, but we also felt it for a long time. Today we are in this position and we have to take care of it and enjoy it.”
Alderete continued: “Impressive. I said it before as well, I think I never saw so many people like this. That’s really because the people were waiting for this for a long time, because there was a lot of suffering and it felt like a relief for everyone. Let them enjoy it, but be careful on the streets, because we already know how it can be.”
He added: “This is the path, we are just starting and from today begins the construction of what the World Cup will be.”
The 28-year-old centre-back, who joined Sunderland from Getafe during the summer transfer window, emphasized the significance of this achievement not only for the current squad but also for those who have experienced years of near misses. The celebrations in Paraguay were nothing short of extraordinary, with tens of thousands of fans lining the streets from Ypané to the Defensores del Chaco stadium, creating a 30km sea of red and white.
Alderete’s reflections highlight the deep connection between the team and their supporters, acknowledging the long wait and the collective relief felt by the nation. His sentiments underscore the importance of this qualification as a stepping stone towards greater ambitions for Paraguay’s footballing future.
In other Sunderland news, Régis Le Bris received a timely boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, as Luke O’Nien progresses in his recovery. O’Nien, along with Aji Alese, who is also nearing a return after missing pre-season due to injury, participated in training. Meanwhile, new arrival Bertrand Traoré is racing against time to feature after his last-minute transfer from Ajax.
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