Carlos Franco
Full name: Carlos Daniel Franco Santacruz
Country: Paraguay
Date of birth:05/05/2008 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Paraguay
Height: 171cm
Youth career: Cerro Porteño
Current club: Cerro Porteño
Squad number: —
Current national team: Paraguay U-17
Position: attacking midfielder, winger
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: 2024 South American U-15 Championship (6/3), 2025 South American U-17 Championship (5/0)
Contract until: unknown
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Diego Ribas
Strengths:
– technique 
– ball control
– passing
– vision
– creativity
– flair
– agility
– pace 
– acceleration
– dribbling
– first touch
– two-footedness
– set pieces
To improve:
– player with a smaller frame who isn’t afraid of physical duels but needs to focus on improving his physicality
– consistency and maturity of his decision-making on the ball
– aerial duels
Style of play:
– advanced playmaker
– agile with good speed at all distances
– his agility, footwork, and close control allow him to operate in tight spaces with ease
– thrives in a free attacking role, utilizing his vision and creativity to influence the game in the final third
– intelligent player who excels at finding space between the lines with precise timing, seamlessly linking the midfield and attack
– often makes attacking runs through the left wing and half-spaces
– possesses interesting ball-striking ability from mid-range
– spectacular player able to make a difference at any time thanks to his passing skills, bravery, and flair
– excellent ball control and ability to link up with teammates at top speed
– superb footwork and dribbling ability in tight spaces
– counter-attacking weapon thanks to his pace and movement
– able to pass, dribble, and score effectively with his weaker left foot
– good crossing skills, both from open play and set pieces
– even though his defensive positioning is still very much improvable, he shows very positive energy and work rate against the ball
Franco evades his marker with a brilliant touch and finishes with a powerful, precise strike.
Franco cuts in from the right half-space and scores a stunning top-corner goal with his weaker foot.
Franco reads his teammate’s movement perfectly and creates a major chance with a brilliant pass.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Attacking midfielder in 4-2-3-1.
Video:
Achievements:
2024 South American U-20 Championship winner with Paraguay.
League summary (as of 13 May 2025):
No senior team appearances yet.
Description:
Carlos Franco, a product of Cerro Porteño’s youth academy, is regarded as one of Paraguay’s most exciting talents in recent years. He gained wider recognition at the 2024 South American U-15 Championship, where the young Paraguayan played a key role in securing the gold medal. This tournament highlighted an impressive generation of players, including Leo Cristaldo, Aldo Sanabria, Fernando Zajas, Mauricio De Carvalho, and Alan Ledesma.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
8/10 
First team material in a top European league.
Links: