NEWS: Argentina born midfielder Jonathan Santana has gained Paraguayan nationality in time to be named in his new country’s provisional Copa America squad.
The Wolfsburg player (pictured) is one of 27 players called up by coach Gerardo Martino for the tournament in Venezuela.
The coach said: “The reason I have called up 27 players is that I want to clear some doubts I have and, obviously, see how some players who have had injuries progress.”
Carlos Humberto Paredes, of Sporting Lisbon, and Borussia Dortmund forward Nelson Haedo Valdez, who both played at the World Cup in Germany last year, have been left out of the squad, which must be cut to 22 players at least five days before the tournament begins on Tuesday, June 22.
Santana qualifies for Paraguayan nationality because his mother was born in the country, but attempts to nationalise Argentinean Sergio Aquino and Uruguayan Hernán Rodrigo López – both of Libertad – appear to be too late for the Copa America.
Paraguay face Group C Argentina, Colombia and U.S.A. in Group C of the competition.
Paraguay provisional Copa America squad
Goalkeepers:
Justo Villar (Newell’s Old Boys (Arg)), Aldo Bobadilla (Boca Juniors (Arg)), Joel Zayas (Bolivar (Bol)).
Defenders:
Dario Veron (Pumas (Mex)), Paulo da Silva (Toluca (Mex)), Julio Caceres (Tigres (Mex)), Denis Caniza (Atlas (Mex)), Julio Manzur (Guarani), Ruben Maldonado (Napoli (It)), Claudio Morel Rodriguez (Boca Juniors (Arg)), Alfredo Aguilar (Sportivo Luqueno), Victor Caceres (Libertad).
Midfielders:
Edgar Barreto (Nijmegen (Hol)), Carlos Bonet, Cristian Riveros (both Libertad), Enrique Vera (Liga Deportiva Universitaria (Ecu)), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo (Arg)), Domingo Salcedo, Edgar Gonzalez (both Cerro Porteno), Jose Montiel (Udinese (It)), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg (Ger)), Julio dos Santos (Bayern Munich (Ger)).
Forwards:
Nelson Cuevas, Salvador Cabanas (America (Mex)), Oscar Cardozo (Newell’s Old Boys (Arg)), Dante Lopez (Crotone (It)), Roque Santa Cruz (Bayern Munich (Ger)).
• For a list of the Copa America squads, as they are announced, click here.
