 |
Francisco ArceParaguayan footballer, right wing back.
Date of Birth: 02.04.1971
Country:  Paraguay |
Content:
- Francisco Arce: Paraguayan Football Legend
- Transfer to Brazil and International Success
- Paraguay National Team
- Records and Statistics
- Coaching Career
Francisco Arce: Paraguayan Football Legend
Early Career and Success with Cerro PortenoFrancisco Arce, known affectionately as "Chiqui," began his football career with Cerro Porteño in 1989. As a right-back, he quickly established himself as a key figure, helping the club to three Paraguayan Primera División titles.
Transfer to Brazil and International Success
Arce's impressive performances caught the attention of Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who brought him to Grêmio in 1995. Scolari took Arce with him to Palmeiras in 1997, where he would make history.
Arce became a rare foreign player to be revered by two of Brazil's most prominent clubs. He won the Copa Libertadores with Grêmio in 1995 and repeated the feat with Palmeiras in 1999, adding several other domestic and international titles to his resume.
Paraguay National Team
Simultaneously, Arce was a mainstay in the Paraguay national team. He represented his country in two FIFA World Cups (1998 and 2002), reaching the Round of 16 in both tournaments.
Unusually for a defender, Arce possessed a keen goalscoring instinct. He scored a remarkable 82 goals during his time in Brazil. His most famous strike was a stunning free kick against South Africa in the 2002 World Cup.
Records and Statistics
Beyond his scoring prowess, Arce provided an astounding 327 assists in his career, averaging 20 per season. He retired in 2006 after stints in Japan and Paraguay.
Coaching Career
After hanging up his boots, Arce transitioned into coaching. In 2008, he led Rubio Ñu to the Paraguayan Second Division title. In 2009, Rubio Ñu became one of the most entertaining teams in the Paraguayan Primera División, finishing fourth in the Clausura tournament.
