Justo Villar: a goalkeeper with a great future

When Justo Villar started playing football, he had two options: to be a striker or be a goalkeeper. Villar chose the latter. It was a choice that this 1977 born Paraguayan footballer would never regret. He became Paraguay’s first choice goalkeeper after the formidable José Luis Chilavert retired.

This was not an easy transition. Chilavert was a giant in the Paraguay goal. His successor had to be good to be able to step into Chilavert’s shoes. That Villar has been able to do so is testimony to his goalkeeping skills.

Villar learned his goalkeeping skills from Ever Hugo Almeida, another legendary goalkeeper. This happened when Villar joined the Paraguayan club Sol de América. Later, Villar moved to Libertad, where he was instrumental in the side winning 2002 and 2003 Liga Paraguaya.

In 2004, Villar was transferred to Newell's Old Boys, an Argentinian club. Here too, Villar made his presence felt, and helped the side win the 2004 Apertura championship. He was hailed as the best goalkeeper by the Argentine press. The same year Villar won the Paraguayan Footballer of the Year award

In 1997, Villar made it to the national squad that took part in the FIFA World Youth Championship, and in 2006 he was selected to keep the Paraguayan goal in the World Cup.

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