ASUNCIÓN – Junior Alonso has weathered countless storms during the Paraguay national football team's toughest periods. Now, he stands on the cusp of fulfilling his cherished dream of qualifying for the World Cup. This steadfast defender, who has led 'La Albirroja' (the Paraguay national team's nickname) to the brink of World Cup qualification, emphasized that despite all the criticism, he never turned his back on his country and is now savoring this moment.

"It's part of life, it's part of football. We understand the situation. The important thing is that we never gave up. For better or worse, we always fought for the national team. Today we stand here, passionately aiming to put Paraguay back on top and qualify for the World Cup. We work every day to achieve that," Alonso declared with a determined voice.

Alonso has been a long-standing cornerstone of the Paraguay national team, remaining unwavering even during difficult times. Notably, when Paraguay struggled in the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers and ultimately failed to advance, he remained committed to the national team. At that time, Paraguay finished 8th out of 10 South American nations in the qualifiers, and fan disappointment was at its peak. However, Alonso and other veteran players rallied the team's morale and prepared for the next challenge. Their dedicated attitude became the driving force for the team's resurgence.

"For me, representing the national team is always a source of pride, regardless of the situation. When things weren't good, we were the first ones to show up, ready to play any match, anywhere, any friendly. So when things get better, the atmosphere is calmer for everyone, but those of us who have been here for a long time have always been proud to represent the team," he added, showing his unwavering commitment.

Affectionately known as 'The Sheriff' by fans at Atlético Mineiro, Alonso takes great pride in having rekindled hope across the nation by expressing immense affection for the team in every home match.

"The emotion is immense. There's a lot of anticipation. The joy is felt on and off the field, in daily life, when we arrive in Paraguay, when we go to the stadium, when people recognize us on the streets. This also stems from what we've done on the field. We hope this continues, and we know that on Thursday, the fans will come out to support us, and we can achieve a big victory together," he said with infectious enthusiasm.

Indeed, recent home matches for the Paraguay national team have seen fervent support. In the recent World Cup qualifier against Brazil, over 50,000 spectators filled the Estadio Defensores del Chaco, providing immense strength to the players. Fans sang cheers even before the match began, waving Paraguayan flags and offering passionate support throughout the game. This fan support serves as a great motivation for the players, injecting positive energy on and off the field, as Alonso mentioned.

"I'm happy to be back with the national team. We know the responsibility we carry. Four finals remain, and they are very important matches. We will try to play great games and earn as many points as possible to achieve this dream we all share," he concluded, keeping his sights firmly on the goal.

"Very little remains, but at the same time, a lot remains. We are very close, but we haven't achieved anything yet. We must remain humble, knowing that nothing is secured and we must proceed one step at a time. We have four matches left to make it a reality. Each match is different. They are battles that we must approach differently. Certainly, the coach will plan differently because we have an obligation to play at home with our fans, win, and earn points," Alonso concluded, with a warrior's spirit in every syllable.

The aspirations of Paraguayan football fans for World Cup qualification are higher than ever. After reaching the quarterfinals of the 2010 South Africa World Cup, Paraguay endured a long period of silence, failing to qualify for the 2014 Brazil, 2018 Russia, and 2022 Qatar World Cups. The South American qualifiers, in particular, are known as a 'group of death' due to their fierce competition. Traditional powerhouses like Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay are abundant, and Colombia, Ecuador, and Chile also boast formidable strength. Currently, Paraguay is in the middle of the South American qualifiers, maintaining their hope of World Cup qualification. The remaining four matches are essentially finals, and as Alonso said, they must give their all in every game.

Alonso's leadership and the team's dedication are raising expectations that the Paraguay national team can achieve its long-cherished World Cup qualification. All eyes of football fans worldwide are on 'The Sheriff' Alonso and his teammates to see if they can pour all their efforts into the remaining matches and write a new chapter in Paraguayan football history.