Julio César Enciso

Enciso is a Paraguayan youth international, having played with the Paraguay U15 side at the 2019 South American U-15 Championship. He first represented the senior Paraguay national team in a 3–1 2021 Copa América win over Bolivia on 14 June 2021. Enciso was selected in Paraguay's 26 player roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June 2026. He scored a goal in the round of 32 match against Germany, which Paraguay ended up winning 4–3 on penalties.

Club

As of match played 17 May 2026

International

As of match played 4 July 2026

Scores and results list Paraguay's goal tally first.

Early career

Enciso started playing football at his local club in Caaguazú, Paraguay. At age 12 he was recruited by Libertad. Enciso made his senior debut for Club Libertad on 17 March 2019, aged 15, in a 4–0 home victory against Deportivo Santaní. He became the youngest player to debut with Libertad.

Brighton and Hove Albion

On 17 June 2022, Enciso transferred to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion for a transfer fee of £9.5 million plus future add-on fees, signing an initial four-year contract. He made his Brighton debut on 24 August, playing 80 minutes of the 3–0 away win over League One side Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Cup second round, where he claimed assist to Steven Alzate's long range goal. Enciso made his Premier League debut on 29 October, coming on as a 65th minute substitute for Adam Lallana in Brighton's 4–1 home win over Chelsea. He scored his first goal for the club on 4 April 2023, in a 2–0 away win at Bournemouth. Nearly two weeks later, he scored in a 1–2 away win over Chelsea, helping the Albion secure a victory at Stamford Bridge for the first time in their history. Enciso started in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on 23 April, playing 67 minutes as Brighton eventually lost 7–6 on penalties to Manchester United. Three days later, the 19-year-old made his first Premier League start for the Albion, in the 3–1 away loss at Nottingham Forest. Three days after that on 29 April, he made two assists in Brighton's 6–0 home victory…

Enciso started his playing career in 1994 with Cerro Porteño where he won the league championships in his debut season. In 1996, he was signed by Internacional of Brazil where he played for 5 seasons, winning the Campeonato Gaúcho in 1997. Enciso returned to Paraguay in 2001 to play for Olimpia Asunción where he won the Copa Libertadores 2002 and the Recopa Sudamericana 2003. He left the club in 2005 His last club was 12 de Octubre where he spent the 2006 season and announced his retirement. However, for the 2008 Clausura tournament he was called by the coach, Saturnino Arrua, and decided to make a comeback to help the team get out of the relegation zone.

Enciso played for Paraguay at the 1998 World Cup. He missed out on his country's 2002 campaign. That same year he won the Copa Libertadores as a captain with Olimpia. Afterwards he was named an over-age player for the 2004 Olympics, where he helped Paraguay to a silver medal. He also played for Paraguay in three editions of the Copa América in 1995, 1999 and 2001.

Libertad

División Profesional: 2021 Apertura, 2022 Apertura Individual

BBC Goal of the Season: 2022–23 Premier League Goal of the Season: 2022–23 Brighton & Hove Albion Goal of the Season: 2022–23 FIFA Puskás Award Nominee: 2023 Records

Youngest player to score a goal on his debut in the Copa Libertadores (16 years and 307 days). Youngest player to score in the Copa Libertadores in the 21st century (16 years and 307 days). First Paraguayan footballer nominated for the Golden Boy Award. First Paraguayan footballer nominated for the Puskás Award, also the first as a finalist for the award. Fourth youngest footballer in history to debut for the Paraguay national team (17 years, 1 month, and 18 days). First Paraguayan footballer chosen as the Goal of the Season by BBC Sport, as well as the Premier League Goal of the Season. Second youngest player in history to score against Arsenal in their own stadium (19 years and 111 days).

Club

Cerro Porteño Paraguayan Primera División: 1994 Internacional Campeonato Gaúcho: 1997 Olimpia Copa Libertadores: 2002 Recopa Sudamericana: 2003

National team

Paraguay Summer Olympics: 2004 (Silver medal)