Hernesto Ezequiel Caballero Benítez (born 9 April 1991) is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Libertad.

Hernesto Caballero
Personal information
Full name Hernesto Ezequiel Caballero Benítez
Date of birth (1991-04-09) 9 April 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth San Juan Bautista, Paraguay
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Libertad
Number 26
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2016 Fernando de la Mora
2016General Caballero ZC (loan) 37 (5)
2017–2020 Olimpia 40 (1)
2017General Díaz (loan) 16 (1)
2021 River Plate Asunción 17 (5)
2022– Libertad 83 (3)
International career
2023– Paraguay 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 June 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 June 2024

Club career

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Born in San Juan Bautista, Misiones, Caballero began his career with Fernando de la Mora in 2010, making his senior debut in the División Intermedia. Ahead of the 2016 season, he was loaned to Primera División side General Caballero ZC.[1]

After being an undisputed starter as General Caballero suffered relegation, Caballero signed a four-year contract with Olimpia on 7 February 2017, being immediately loaned to General Díaz.[2][3] On 15 June, he was recalled by his parent club.[4]

Sparingly used at Olimpia, Caballero rescinded his contract with the club on 10 November 2020, and announced that he would sign for a Brazilian club.[5] However, the move did not materialze,[6] and he spent the first half of the 2021 season without a club before signing for River Plate Asunción.[7]

On 28 December 2021, Caballero was announced at Libertad.[8]

International career

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In November 2023, Caballero was called up to the Paraguay national team for two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia.[9] He made his full international debut on 16 November, coming on as a second-half substitute for Mathías Villasanti in a 0–0 draw against the former at the Estadio Monumental David Arellano in Santiago.[10]

Career statistics

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International

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As of match played 28 June 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Paraguay 2023 2 0
2024 3 0
Total 5 0

Honours

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Olimpia

Libertad

References

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  1. ^ "Hernesto Caballero: "En cada pelota damos la vida y en Gral. Caballero estoy cumpliendo mi sueño de jugar en primera"" [Hernesto Caballero: "In each ball we give our life at Gral. Caballero I am fulfilling a dream of playing in Primera"] (in Spanish). La Unión. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Olimpia compra el pase del volante Hernesto Caballero" [Olimpia buy the rights of midfielder Hernesto Caballero] (in Spanish). D10. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Olimpia ficha y cede a Hernesto Caballero" [Olimpia sign and loan Hernesto Caballero] (in Spanish). Hoy. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Hernesto Caballero se suma a Olimpia por pedido de Almeida" [Hernesto Caballero joins Olimpia at Almeida's request] (in Spanish). Última Hora. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Hernesto Caballero rescindió con Olimpia" [Hernesto Caballero rescinded with Olimpia] (in Spanish). ABC Color. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Hernesto cuenta sus verdades y Regis sale al cruce" [Hernesto talks his truth and Regis goes up to the cross] (in Spanish). Hoy. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Hernesto Caballero tiene nuevo club en el fútbol paraguayo" [Hernesto Caballero has a new club in Paraguayan football] (in Spanish). Versus. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Hernesto Caballero, repollo colorado" (in Spanish). ABC Color. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Hernesto Caballero: "La familia está muy feliz, todo fue entre lágrimas"" [Hernesto Caballero: "The family is very happy, everything happened between tears"] (in Spanish). Versus. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Eliminatorias: Los tres jugadores que debutaron en la Albirroja" [Qualifiers: The three players who have debuted in the Albirroja] (in Spanish). Versus. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2024.