local
He sold everything for his son. Now Paraguay’s hero goalkeeper will get a treasured jersey back
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 7, 2026
· 4 min read
By Rachel Clarke, Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN
(CNN) — Orlando Gill walked alone to his goal — the fate of Paraguay’s World Cup hopes on his shoulders.
The goalkeeper touched the crossbar and bounced along his line. He stretched out his arms and clapped gloved hands together, in front of thousands of...
Key takeaway In December 2022, his son was born prematurely after an emergency C-section and needed expensive intensive care.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The story of Orlando Gill, Paraguay's hero goalkeeper, resonates deeply with El Paso 's own community of families who have faced similar struggles. Many local families have had to make difficult decisions to care for their loved ones, including selling personal belongings to cover medical expenses. Gill's selfless act of selling his U-20 national team jersey to care for his premature son is a testament to the sacrifices parents make for their children. As El Pasoans, we understand the importance of family and community support, and Gill's story serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience that can be found in the face of adversity. With a strong sense of community and family ties, El Pasoans can appreciate the value of Gill's journey and the joy of being reunited with a treasured possession, in this case, his fluorescent yellow jersey.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Rachel Clarke, Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN
(CNN) — Orlando Gill walked alone to his goal — the fate of Paraguay’s World Cup hopes on his shoulders.
The goalkeeper touched the crossbar and bounced along his line. He stretched out his arms and clapped gloved hands together, in front of thousands of...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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