‘Left-back wanted’ was the message in ABC Color, Paraguay’s most-read newspaper.
Coach Manolo Jimenez had been left without much of a choice as he prepared his Cerro Porteno side to face Sportivo Ameliano in Paraguay’s top flight in early August.
Having lost both senior left-backs through injury, Jimenez was left with a dilemma – play right-back Victor Cabanas in the position or hand 17-year-old novice Diego Leon his senior debut.
Only a few months earlier, Leon was an unknown featuring for Cerro’s Under-17 team.
But Jimenez opted to go with the teenager against Ameliano and his boldness was rewarded as the youngster secured a 1-0 win with a powerful header.
He scored again a week later and impressed so much that he was named player of the month by the coaches’ association.
“This is what every kid dreams of. I invite you all to dream. I’m a dreamer,” he said.
