Tech
Jun 17, 20261
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Roque Santa Cruz Rates South American Strikers at World Cup

Roque Santa Cruz, Paraguay's all-time leading scorer and now a commentator, rated South American strikers at the World Cup into 'Good,' 'Very Good,' and 'Crack' categories. Enner Valencia, Julián Alvarez, and Lautaro Martínez were named 'Crack,' while Paraguay's Antonio Sanabria and Alex Arce were deemed 'Very Good.'





Quick Facts
Who
Roque Santa Cruz
What
Santa Cruz evaluated South American center-forwards playing in the World Cup
When
June 17, 2026
Where
South America
- Santa Cruz evaluated South American center-forwards playing in the World Cup
- Players were sorted into three categories: Good, Very Good, Crack
- Enner Valencia, Julián Alvarez, and Lautaro Martínez were ranked as Crack
- Antonio Sanabria and Alex Arce were ranked as Very Good
- Roque Santa Cruz
Former Paraguay national team star and all-time leading scorer Roque Santa Cruz, now working as a sports commentator for an international broadcaster, took part in a CONMEBOL questionnaire where he evaluated the performance of South American center-forwards currently playing in the World Cup. The players were sorted into three categories: "Good," "Very Good," and "Crack."
Among those rated at the highest level, "Crack," were Ecuadorian veteran Enner Valencia, as well as Argentina's Julián Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez, both of whom were part of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Santa Cruz praised their impact and consistency on the global stage.
Paraguay’s own representatives on the list, Antonio Sanabria and Alex Arce, were placed in the "Very Good" category. Santa Cruz, who holds the record for most goals in Paraguay's history, did not include any of his countrymen in the top tier.
The exercise, organized by CONMEBOL and shared on social media, drew attention as fans and analysts discussed Santa Cruz's rankings ahead of the ongoing tournament. The former striker has transitioned into a media role, offering insights on international football.
Why This Matters
This rating provides immediate insight into how top South American strikers are perceived by a legendary former player, helping fans and analysts gauge player form and reputation during the World Cup. For bettors and fantasy sports players, it highlights which forwards to watch.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 17, 2026
WireCONMEBOL publishes questionnaire with Santa Cruz's ratings