The Paraguay hero who sold his kit when his son was bornFigure caption, Relive the thrilling penalty shootout between Germany and ParaguayByBen CollinsBBC Sport journalistPublished31 minutes agoOrlando Gill continued his remarkable journey from obscurity as he became Paraguay’s penalty shootout hero against Germany on Monday.The 6ft 6in goalkeeper saved two spot-kicks to secure his country’s second knockout win in World Cup history and enhance his growing reputation.
The 26-year-old has been one of the best keepers at the World Cup but had only made three senior club appearances until January 2025.
And less than four years ago, after his son was born prematurely, he had to sell his kit to support his family as they “had nothing”.
Gill played for the youth teams of Paraguayan clubs Club 13 de Junio and CS San Lorenzo, and was named in Paraguay’s squad for the South American Under-20 Championship in early 2019.
He made his senior debut for San Lorenzo in September 2020 but had registered just two appearances when his wife Melissa Avalos, who he married in January 2021, became pregnant in 2022.
Their son was expected on 31 December but health problems meant that Melissa was hospitalised on 30 November and induced on 7 December.
However, baby Lautaro was not delivered until the next day because of serious complications which left Melissa needing emergency surgery and her son in intensive care.
The family was able to go home in time for Christmas but “had nothing, and Orlando was selling his club gear to cover expenses”, Melissa posted on Instagram, external last year.
“Our son fought for his life, and his dad was always there. He gave everything, he sold everything: his clothes, his sneakers, even his U20 national team jersey, which he couldn’t keep as a memory.”
