Player Profile: Nelson Haedo Valdez

Born in Caaguazu on 28 November 1983, Nelson Haedo Valdez started paying as an amateur in Atletico Tembetary until 2001, when with barely 18 the Werder Bremen required his service. In 2002 he played for Werder Bremen’s second team, where he scored a very respectable 15 goals in 30 games. After this big impression, the first-team coach Thomas Schaaf, promoted him to the senior ranks in mid-2003.

His first appearance with the albirroja was in the November 2003 for the FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates, where with a great performance he scored two goals against Germany. But his best performances were in October 2005, first in the qualifying match against Argentina in Asuncion where he was the man-of-the-match, and second, in the next match against Venezuela where he scored his first goal with the senior team winning the affection of all Paraguayans fans.

Nelson is the type of player that has the South American skills but with the European physical training. With his 1.79 m height is a very speed striker whose eyes are always in the opponent goal, he can play both, in the center or from the sides. His characteristics make him the perfect companion for Roque Santa Cruz or Jose “Pepe” Cardozo in the front line.