Biography
Who is Édgar Barreto?
Early life and career beginnings
Édgar Barreto was born in Asunción, Paraguay. He began his professional football path with the local club Cerro Porteño, where he made his debut during the 2002 season. Shortly after starting there, he competed in the Copa Libertadores. His performances in his home country eventually caught the attention of international scouts.
In January 2004, he moved to the Netherlands to join the Eredivisie club NEC Nijmegen. This transfer marked the beginning of a long period playing in European leagues. During his early years, he also represented various age-specific national squads for Paraguay, including the U17, U20, and U23 teams.
Professional time in Italy
Barreto spent a significant portion of his career competing in Italy. In the summer of 2007, he signed a contract with Reggina Calcio. He became known for his ability to score from long range while helping the club maintain its position in Serie A. When Reggina moved to Serie B in 2009, he transferred to Atalanta Bergamo.
His time at Atalanta included a difficult season affected by injury, followed by a successful promotion back to Serie A during the 2010 to 2011 season. Italian journalists voted him into the Top 11 Serie B team for his contributions. In August 2011, he moved to Palermo on a four-year agreement. He later joined U.C. Sampdoria in July 2015, where he played until he terminated his contract in May 2020.
International football career
Édgar Barreto earned 60 caps for the Paraguay national team between 2004 and 2011. He debuted during the 2004 Copa América in a match against Costa Rica. Later that same year, he helped his country win a silver medal at the Olympic Games held in Greece. He was a consistent presence in major tournaments, appearing in three Copa América events and two FIFA World Cup competitions.
At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he scored a penalty kick against Japan, which helped Paraguay advance past the last 16. In the 2011 Copa América, he was part of the squad that finished as runners-up. He officially retired from international duty in August 2012, explaining that he could no longer manage the travel requirements alongside his club commitments in Italy.
Return to the Netherlands and retirement
After leaving Italy, Édgar Barreto returned to his first European club, NEC Nijmegen, in July 2020. This move coincided with his birthday. He signed a contract for one season with an option for an additional year. He played his first match of that period in August 2020.
In May 2022, he formally announced his retirement from professional football. Upon his exit from playing, he stated his intention to pursue a career in team management.
Personal life and family
Édgar is the younger brother of Diego Barreto, who is a professional goalkeeper. The two brothers were teammates on the Paraguay national squad. While playing in the Netherlands, Édgar maintained property in the city of Nijmegen, which served as a family destination during vacations.
Birthday and age
Édgar Barreto was born on July 15, 1984, which makes Édgar 42 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Édgar shares the date with 60 other famous people.
Explore more
