Gustavo Gómez


Gustavo Raúl Gómez Portillo is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for and captains both Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Palmeiras and the Paraguay national team.

Club career

Lanús

Gómez is considered one of the most promising defenders of Paraguay, who began his playing career at Libertad. In the summer of 2014, Gómez left Libertad to play for Argentine Primera División side Lanús. Gustavo Gomez's Lanus conceded a mere 10 goals in 17 games en route to securing 2016 Argentine Primera Division title.

AC Milan

On 5 August 2016, Gómez completed a move to AC Milan for a fee reported to be in the region of €8.5 million, signing a 5-year contract. He is the first ever Paraguayan footballer to play for Milan. After joining the club he chose number 15, in tribute of his former Lanús teammate, Diego Barisone who died in a car accident.
On 27 August 2016, he made his full debut for Milan in Serie A against Napoli, where Napoli beat Milan 4–2.

Palmeiras

On 2 August 2018, Gómez was announced for Palmeiras on a one-year loan deal. Being considered by supporters as one of the best centerbacks of Palmeiras' history, he helped the team achieve three Brasileirão titles in 2018, 2022, and 2023, two Copa Libertadores trophies in 2020 and 2021, four Campeonato Paulista victories in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 one Recopa Sudamericana in 2022, one Copa do Brasil in 2020 and one Supercopa do Brasil in 2023.
In June 2024, Gómez reached the mark of 37 goals scored with the alviverde shirt, with this, he became the defender with the most goals in the history of Palmeiras, surpassing Luís Pereira.

International career

Gustavo's first selection to the Paraguay national team was for a friendly against Germany in August 2013. On 7 September 2013, he debuted against Bolivia at the age of 20, and in that game he scored his first international goal. He played in the four editions of Copa América, having been the captain of the Paraguayan national team in the first two editions.

Style of play

Gómez is a defender known for his feisty style of play and for his leadership skills. He is a complete defender who excels in defense, aerial play, and tackling, but is also capable of contributing to playmaking. He prioritizes defensive quality and physical strength, qualities that have made him one of the best defenders in South American football and an idol at Palmeiras, where he is captain.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
16 September 2013Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay4–04–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
25 March 2014Estadio Nacional, San José, Costa Rica1–21–2Friendly
39 June 2019Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay1–02–0Friendly
42 July 2021Estádio Olímpico Pedro Ludovico, Goiânia, Brazil1–03–3 2021 Copa América

Honours

Libertad
Lanus
Milan
Palmeiras
Individual