Paraguay is in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup thanks to the heroics of Orlando Gill.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper made two key saves during the penalty shootout on Monday to help beat Germany. Paraguay had not been to a World Cup since reaching the quarterfinals in 2010. After losing to the United States in their opening match, La Albirroja rebounded to beat Türkiye and draw with Australia to qualify for the 2026 knockout stage.
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Gill has become a national hero in his country since helping knock out Germany. The story of his journey to becoming Paraguay’s starting goalkeeper and what he and his partner, Melissa Avalos, have overcome along the way has resurfaced this week.
Avalos revealed after Gill was called up to the national team that he was forced to sell some of his gear years earlier in order to support the family while their son Lautaro dealt with health complications after being born prematurely in December 2022.
After Avalos was induced, she ended up needing emergency surgery. The hospitalization costs were high, which left the struggling young goalkeeper forced to sell personal items to cover expenses.
Orlando Gill made two saves as Paraguay upset Germany in the Round of 32 on Monday.
(Wu Zhizhao via Getty Images)
“Our son fought for his life, and his dad was always there,” Avalos posted on Instagram last September. “He gave everything, he sold everything: his clothes, his sneakers, even his U20 national team jersey, which he couldn’t keep as a memory.”
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Gill made one appearance for Paraguay’s U20 team, which is why the jersey was of great importance to him. The jersey was purchased by Gill’s friend, Pedro Suárez, who bought it for 200,000 guarani ($32.90 USD).
“He came to ask me if I could help him out with that amount,” Suarez told NPY this week. “I told him there was no problem. That’s how I was able to help him. It was a small contribution so he could have a little money to support his family.”
Suárez said that he sent Gill a message of encouragement as Paraguay gets set to face World Cup favorites France on Saturday. He added that he would return his friend’s jersey at no cost.
There was one catch, however.
“I told him, ‘Don’t worry about the shirt, I’ll save it for you, but you guys have to beat France,'” Suárez joked.
