Here’s a story that shows how far teams will go to win. The Paraguayan national football team is trying something new to reach the 2026 World Cup. They’re betting on the same kind of advanced sports technology that Cristiano Ronaldo uses. Getting to a World Cup needs great play on the field, that’s for sure. But it also takes smart planning and preparation behind the scenes. The team expects to lock in their spot for next year’s tournament during the upcoming FIFA matches in September. They’re getting ready for big games against Ecuador at home and Peru away.
This bold move came about thanks to Justo Villar, the general director for the Paraguayan Federation and a former goalkeeper himself. He struck a deal with Avanutri. This company has been making advanced technology for physical assessment, recovery, and high performance since 2004. In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo became a key partner, and the company is now known as AVA CR7. Villar, joined by marketing manager Silvia Caballero, even visited Avanutri’s facilities in Três Rios, a city in Rio de Janeiro state. They met with CEO Rodrigo Santana. “It’s a joy to host Justo and the Federation’s marketing manager,” Santana said. “They came to see our whole setup and production. Gatito Fernández first introduced them to AVA, as he was already using our tech at Botafogo. But with so much new progress, all developed with Cristiano Ronaldo, they wanted a bigger partnership. This is a huge project.”
Justo Villar played for Paraguay from 1999 to 2018, putting on the national jersey 120 times. He even captained the team during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, leading them to their first-ever quarterfinals. They lost to Spain, who went on to win the whole thing. The very next year, Villar was named the best goalkeeper in the Copa América. “This visit is part of ongoing talks between the Federation and AVA CR7 for a cooperation agreement,” Villar explained. “This will let us bring new tech into how we train our players and how we run things as an organization. This meeting shows our goal to invest in smart alliances. These will help all of Paraguayan football grow, boosting both our team’s performance and our international standing.”
Avanutri isn’t just focused on top-tier athletes and fancy equipment. They also have a truly special side to their work, which impressed the Paraguayan Federation. The company runs a social program for over 250 children, aged 5 to 13. These kids have access to pediatricians, medical, and dental offices. They also use multi-sport courts for activities like Olympic gymnastics, ballet, futsal, volleyball, basketball, and even beach tennis. It’s a full-circle approach to wellness, from future stars to community kids.