Roque Santa Cruz Rates South American Strikers at World Cup

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.