When Paraguay come out for the start of their FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025™ campaign, they will be led by highly-rated defender Lucas Quintana. After coming through the Cerro Porteno youth ranks, Quintana has secured a starting spot with the Paraguayan giants and is enjoying an excellent run of form. No doubt that the second half of 2025 is shaping up to be big for the 20-year-old, with the upcoming international tournament in Chile preceding the run-in for Paraguay’s top domestic league.
La Albirroja, who haven’t competed in the U-20 World Cup since 2013, saw a change in the dugout during the 2025 South American U-20 Championship, as Antolin Alcaraz took over from Aldo Pedro Duscher. The managerial change breathed new life into the squad, who had been handed a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Uruguay in the opening match.
Paraguay recovered from their poor start to stamp their ticket to Chile, and will now head to the tournament in search of improving on their fourth place finish in 2001. They find themselves in Group B alongside Korea Republic, Ukraine and Panama. Quintana tells FIFA that he knows his strong leadership will be crucial for Paraguay if they are to pull off something special.
Lucas Quintana: It was very positive. We went there to compete and I think we rose to the occasion of the tournament. We were also fortunate to qualify. We prepared for a long time beforehand but the standard is really high and we soon realised that any team you come up against can beat you. On a personal note, it was my first time playing in an international tournament.
The physicality and understanding of the game. Each team works really hard behind the scenes. I think that all the teams did everything they could to arrive in the best shape possible.
I’m a firm believer in old-school values, such as aerial play and defensive strength. In recent times, I believe we’ve seen a great deal of talent coming through. I think that we’re improving and the level is incredibly high right now. It’s already noticeable in the senior team, who are doing well, thank God. And we also try to take that approach in training. I think that we’re gradually giving our game more of an identity in how we play.
As a youngster and a Paraguayan, it means a lot. Our people and fans have longed to be at a World Cup again. Why shouldn’t we all dream that we could be a part of this tournament? God willing.
It means a lot and we’re very proud. We know that it’s a great achievement. We’re not just going there to make up the numbers, but to compete and give it our all.
We know that there are no easy games at international level. We’ve been drawn in a difficult group and we have to respect all our opponents. We have to be fully prepared. The goal is to become world champions. I can’t guarantee that we’ll get through the group stage or reach the quarter-finals, but the goal is to become world champions and make history – to go down in football history.
I see a lot of quality and togetherness in the squad. I think we are more than just friends. We already know each other well and it’s a close-knit group. You can also see the hunger and the desire for progress that my team-mates have.
I always try to be a positive person in the group and help everyone else. I always focus on myself first, on being able to do my job. And after that, to be able to help my team-mates. What it means is impossible to put into words. It’s an honour and a dream come true for me to be there. To be the captain of my team is something unique. It’s a dream regardless of my age. I hope that one day I will also have the opportunity to play for the senior team and be able to perform at my best at that level too.
If we put limits on ourselves, we get stuck. So for this, or for anything else in life, there is no limit. You can always do more, but I think I’m on the right path. I’m coming back from a serious injury. I am constantly striving to be the best version of myself, both physically and mentally. I’ve been working on the psychological side of my game both with the national team and my club – how to handle the moment and things that happen. Because it’s not easy at this age with everything going on. Sometimes it comes around very quickly and you have to be prepared for it.
A lot. We know how important this tournament is; the expectation of the crowd and everyone who will be watching us. It’s a very important tournament where we have the chance to show what we can do on the global stage. There are a lot of important people that are going to see it. It’s a unique opportunity for me and my team-mates. To be able to showcase our talent and, God willing, to make progress and secure a transfer in the not-too-distant future.
