Goalkeepers become fashionable at the World Cup… sometimes even because of a penalty shootout. And judging by how the market prices of those who take part in it — and stand out — are soaring, even more so. One who has broken out of “anonymity” is Orlando Gill. A Paraguayan goalkeeper who, thanks to the decisive factor of penalties, has made a name for himself.
The shootout against Germany has propelled him to World Cup stardom. The “eleven meters” have put him on the map as a national hero after knocking one of the historic powers, Germany, out of the tournament. And Paraguay continues its journey, facing another tough challenge in the round of 16. Mbappé’s France. It will do so with a wall in goal. Gill now carries that pressure behind him.
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On top of all that, a World Cup serves as a market benchmark and, in the event of breaking out, brings him onto the market by turning him into the subject of a bidding war. For the case of the Paraguayan goalkeeper is particular. Because he plays for San Lorenzo de Almagro and they have not trusted him blindly, which caused him to come to the fore before the World Cup due to the numerous offers to European clubs.
His release could be between three and four million, but the circumstances, in turn, could push for an increase. The reputation of standing out in that event. However, San Lorenzo will be able to get little return from him because it owns 50% of his rights -the other 50% belongs to his agents- so the room for improvement estimated by the Argentine club barely changes. In other words, the most it can get is those five “million” on its side.
The penalties in his career
Gill stopped one of the key shots in the penalty shootout and gave confidence to his teammates throughout the series, while saving a second one, which led Paraguay to eliminate Germany. He is a goalkeeper who stands out in penalty kicks. But he had a bittersweet feeling just a few weeks ago. He had saved two penalties against River in the Round of 16 of the Apertura Tournament, although San Lorenzo was still eliminated. This time, the story had a completely different ending.
The “Paraguayan Giant” is barely 26 years old and still has a future yet to be fully tapped, but he is a goalkeeper who has been on the market since before the World Cup, and when a footballer stands out at this tournament, the doors open even wider for a move.