Justo Villar: filling Chilavert’s shoes…

Since José Luis Chilavert officially announced his retirement from football, there has been intense debate as to who should replace him in the Paraguayan goal. At the beginning of the Qualifying phase of Germany 2006, there was some doubts between Ricardo Tavarelli, who played in the goal during the first two games of the Korea-Japan 2002, and Justo Villar, a young new player from Libertad team. Would the team be able to fill the absence left by Chila? Who could possibly keep safe goal and gives the sense of security like he did? Fortunately the answer came very fast with magnificient performances made by Justo Villar.

Always proud of being the replacement of one of the greatest goalkeeper of the world, Villar says: “It’s something I’m tremendously proud of, especially when you consider how much he’s meant to Paraguayans over the years. He’s put Paraguay on the map almost single-handedly. However this opportunity brings with it twin responsibilities for me: I have to show that I deserve the chance to replace José Luis, and then I have to really perform out there to make the jersey my own.”

After great performance during the whole qualification, Justo Villar became one of the secured players of the team that will face England next June. These performances gave him the opportunity of playing today in a high competitive level league as the Argentinean League, where he became the star of his team Newell’s Old Boys, winning the last tournament.