Óscar Romero (footballer)

For the American soccer player of the same name, see Oscar Romero (soccer).

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Romero and the second or maternal family name is Villamayor.

Óscar Romero

Romero with Paraguay in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Óscar David Romero Villamayor
Date of birth	(1992-07-04) 4 July 1992
Place of birth	Fernando de la Mora, Paraguay
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team	Botafogo
Number	70
Youth career
2005–2011	Cerro Porteño
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2014	Cerro Porteño	90	(13)
2015–2016	Racing Club	47	(9)
2017–2019	Shanghai Shenhua	26	(4)
2017	→ Alavés (loan)	18	(0)
2019–2021	San Lorenzo	46	(5)
2022–2023	Boca Juniors	44	(4)
2023	Pendikspor	12	(3)
2024–	Botafogo	0	(0)
International career‡
2013–	Paraguay	55	(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 March 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16:30, 27 January 2022 (UTC)

Óscar David Romero Villamayor (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈoskaɾ roˈmeɾo]; born 4 July 1992) is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Botafogo and the Paraguay national team. He is the twin brother of Ángel Romero.

Career

Romero was in the youth ranks of Boca Juniors when he was a Sub 15, but could not continue at the club for a matter of paperwork, therefore he did not play for the Xeneize.

Cerro Porteño

Romero joined the youth ranks of Cerro Porteño at the age of 14. He debuted in the First Division of Paraguay on 15 May 2011 in a 1–0 defeat against General Caballero SC of Zeballos Cue. He scored his first goal on 1 December 2012 against Sportivo Luqueño. His good performances attracted many European teams, such as Spanish clubs Real Madrid B and Valencia Football Club.

In 2013, like his brother Angel, he had more opportunities, since the club decided to give chance to the youth. With the new DT Francisco Arce, Oscar impressed, attracting interest from clubs like Baniyas SC of United Arab Emirates and also being summoned to the Selection Paraguay.

In October 2014, after his good performances in the knockout round of the Copa Sudamericana against Lanús Argentina, in which he scored three goals, he was said to be worth $3 to 6 million. He was targeted by major European clubs, such as Atlético Madrid.

Racing Club

On 28 January 2015, Romero was signed by Racing Club for $2.7 million. He debuted on 18 February against Deportivo Tachira in Copa Libertadores. On 13 March 2015, Romero scored his first competitive goal for the club against Club Atlético Colón. On 15 August 2015, Romero scored his second goal against Union de Santa Fe.

Shanghai Shenhua

Romero played for Shanghai Shenhua of the Chinese Super League from 2017 to 2019. He won one title with the club; the Chinese FA Cup in 2019.

San Lorenzo

In 2019, San Lorenzo signed Romero on a two-year contract. He left the club in 2021.

Boca Juniors

Romero joined Boca Juniors in February 2022 on a free transfer, and signed a two-year contract.

Pendikspor

On 9 August 2023, he signed with Süper Lig club Pendikspor.

Botafogo

On March 18, 2024, he was announced by Botafogo with a contract until the end of the season. The player received the number 70 shirt to play for the club. On April 2, the Paraguayan was listed for the first time, for the match against Junior Barranquilla in the Libertadores. The Paraguayan debuted against the Colombians at Nilton Santos. Romero entered in the 39th minute of the final stage, replacing Marlon Freitas.

On May 13, 2024, after an act of indiscipline, Óscar Romero was cut from Botafogo's trip to Peru, where the team would face Universitario in the fifth round of Group D of the Libertadores group stage. According to the specialized press, the midfielder took, along with clubmate Diego Hernández, women to the concentration after the match against Fortaleza.

The following day, the Paraguayan spoke out, saying he accepted Botafogo's punishment, but denied that he had taken women to the team hotel.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 17 January 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Cerro Porteño	2011	Paraguayan Primera División	10	1	–		0	0	–		10	1
	2012		7	1	–		–		–		7	1
	2013		35	6	–		8	0	–		43	6
	2014		38	5	–		16	4	–		54	9
	Total		90	13	–		24	4	–		114	17
Racing Club	2015	Argentine Primera División	24	4	4	0	8	0	–		36	4
	2016		10	4	2	1	10	1	–		22	6
	2016–17		13	1	0	0	–		–		13	1
	Total		47	9	6	1	18	1	–		71	11
Alavés (loan)	2016–17	La Liga	13	0	2	0	–		–		15	0
	2017–18		5	0	0	0	–		–		5	0
	Total		18	0	2	0	–		–		20	0
Shanghai Shenhua	2018	Chinese Super League	17	4	0	0	0	0	–		17	4
	2019		9	0	2	2	–		–		11	2
	Total		26	4	2	2	0	0	–		28	6
San Lorenzo	2019–20	Argentine Primera División	21	2	1	2	–		1	2	23	6
	2020–21		8	2	0	0	7	1	–		15	3
	2021		17	1	0	0	–		–		17	1
	Total		46	5	1	2	7	1	1	2	55	10
Boca Juniors	2022	Argentine Primera División	32	2	4	0	8	0	1	0	45	2
	2023		16	2	0	0	3	0	1	0	20	2
	Total		48	4	4	0	11	0	2	0	65	4
Pendikspor	2023–24	Süper Lig	12	3	2	1	–		–		14	4
Botafogo	2024	Série A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career total			287	38	17	6	60	6	3	2	367	52

International

Scores and results list Paraguay's goal tally first.

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	29 May 2014	Kufstein Arena, Kufstein, Austria	Cameroon	1–0	2–1	Friendly
2.	1 September 2016	Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay	Chile	1–0	2–1	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.	12 June 2018	Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck, Austria	Japan	1–0	2–4	Friendly
4.	10 September 2019	Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan	Jordan	1–2	4–2
Correct as of 10 September 2019

Honours

Shanghai Shenhua

• Chinese FA Cup: 2019

Boca Juniors

• Primera División: 2022
• Copa de la Liga Profesional: 2022
• Supercopa Argentina: 2022

External links

• Óscar Romero at National-Football-Teams.com
• Albirroja.ru profile
• Óscar Romero at Fichajes.com (in Spanish)