2026 World Cup: Paraguay Goalkeeper Orlando Gill Gets Back Jersey Sold for His Child's Medical Fees
July 4, 2026 · Global
Orlando Gill, Paraguay's goalkeeper, made two crucial saves in the penalty shootout against Germany, taking his team to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. His journey to this moment included personal sacrifices made for the well-being of his family.
Paraguay advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup thanks to Orlando Gill's heroic actions. The 26-year-old goalkeeper made two important saves during the penalty shootout on Monday to help his team beat Germany. Paraguay has not appeared in a World Cup since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010. After losing to the United States in the opening match, La Albirroja recovered by beating Turkey and drawing against Australia to qualify for the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup.
Gill has become a national hero in his country since helping to defeat the Germans. The story of his journey to become Paraguay's main goalkeeper and what he and his partner, Melissa Avalos, faced on this journey surfaced again this week. Avalos revealed after Gill was called up to the national team that he was forced to sell some equipment last year to support his family when their son, Lautaro, faced health complications after being born prematurely in December 2022. After Avalos was induced, he had to undergo emergency surgery. The cost of hospital treatment was so high that the struggling young goalkeeper was forced to sell his personal belongings to cover the costs.
"Our son is fighting for his life, and his father is always there," Avalos wrote on Instagram last September. "He gave everything, he sold everything: his clothes, his shoes, even the U20 national team jersey that he couldn't keep as a memento." Gill has only made one appearance for Paraguay's U20 team, which is why the jersey means so much to him. The jersey was purchased by Gill's friend Pedro Suárez, who purchased it for 200,000 guarani (approximately $32.90 USD).
“He came to ask me if I could help him with that amount,” Suárez told NPY this week. "I said no problem. That's how I can help him. It's a small contribution so he can have a little money to support his family." Suárez said he sent Gill a message of encouragement ahead of Paraguay's match against World Cup favorites France on Saturday. He added that he would return his friend's jersey free of charge. However, there is one condition. "I said, 'Don't worry about the jersey, I'll keep it for you, but you guys have to beat France,'" Suárez joked.