Gustavo Caballero went from getting released by Paraguayan clubs to a Brazilian Série A contract and a Championship loan in under two years.
Here’s what his net worth, salary, and career earnings actually look like heading into the 2026 World Cup.
Gustavo Caballero’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gustavo Rubén Caballero González |
| Date of Birth | September 21, 2001 |
| Age | 24 |
| Nationality | Paraguay |
| Height / Weight | 1.86 m (6’1″) / 76 kg |
| Position | Left Winger / Right Winger |
| Current Club | Portsmouth (on loan from Santos FC) |
| Turned Professional | July 1, 2019 (Deportivo Capiatá) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $400,000–$600,000 (realistic single estimate: $500,000) |
| Market Value | €1.0 million (Transfermarkt, 2026) |
Early Life and Career
Caballero was born in San Lorenzo, Paraguay, on September 21, 2001.
He came through the youth system at Deportivo Capiatá, a club in the APF División de Honor, and signed his first professional contract there on July 1, 2019.
He made his senior debut just days later, starting in a 1-0 win over Sportivo Luqueño.
His early career was anything but smooth. Capiatá was relegated in his debut season, and when the 2020 campaign was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Caballero found himself without a club for the entire 2021 season.
He had to fight his way back in via a trial at Sportivo Ameliano in January 2022, starting in the reserve team before earning a first-team spot during pre-season.
That resilience paid off. He scored his first professional goal in March 2022 against Olimpia, then moved to Nacional Asunción in July of that year, where he scored on his second appearance and later notched a hat-trick in the Copa Paraguay.
A loan return to Ameliano followed in 2023 before he re-established himself at Nacional in 2024.
Professional Career
Caballero’s breakout came in the 2025 Apertura tournament, where he finished as joint top scorer with nine goals, putting him on the radar of bigger clubs both at home and abroad.
A move to Libertad was agreed in July 2025 but collapsed within five days as foreign interest grew.
That interest turned serious quickly. Brazilian club Vasco da Gama offered roughly $400,000 for a loan with a $2.2 million purchase option, but Santos FC moved first, signing him to a four-year contract by paying $1.6 million for 50% of his economic rights.
He debuted for Santos on July 26, 2025, and scored his first goal for the club weeks later against Cruzeiro.
On February 2, 2026, the final day of the transfer window, Caballero joined EFL Championship side Portsmouth on loan for the rest of the season, with manager John Mousinho noting he had tracked the player for over a year.
He scored his first Portsmouth goal in a 3-1 win over Millwall.
On the international stage, Caballero was called into Paraguay’s senior squad for friendlies against Greece and Morocco in March 2026, scoring on his second appearance.
That form earned him a spot in Gustavo Alfaro’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the biggest moment of his career so far.
Gustavo Caballero’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Gustavo Caballero’s has an estimated net worth of $500,000.
He built this wealth primarily through his transfer to Santos FC, his Championship loan wages at Portsmouth, and performance-based earnings from his rise through Paraguayan football.
Contract
Caballero is on loan at Portsmouth from Santos FC through the end of the 2025-26 Championship season, with his parent club Santos holding him under a four-year deal that runs through December 2028.
Santos secured 50% of his economic rights for $1.6 million when he joined in July 2025, a deal confirmed through reporting picked up by outlets tracking South American transfers. His Transfermarkt profile lists his current market value at €1.0 million.
Salary
Caballero has been published. For context, Portsmouth’s overall squad carries an estimated gross fixed wage bill of roughly £12.5 million for the 2025-26 season, but individual loan player salaries — especially for a player without an established first-team role — are typically far below the club’s top earners and are not separately disclosed.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Team | Earnings Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Deportivo Capiatá | Entry-level professional contract; figures undisclosed |
| 2022 | Sportivo Ameliano | Domestic-level wages; figures undisclosed |
| 2022–2024 | Nacional Asunción | Domestic-level wages; figures undisclosed |
| 2025 | Santos FC | $1.6 million transfer fee paid by Santos for 50% economic rights |
| 2025–2026 | Portsmouth (loan) | Loan wages; figures undisclosed |
Career Statistics
| Competition Level | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deportivo Capiatá (2019) | 7 | 0 | — |
| Sportivo Ameliano (2022 Apertura) | 12 | 2 | 2 |
| Nacional Asunción (2022–2025) | Multiple seasons | Career total across Paraguayan clubs: 19 goals in 116 appearances | — |
| Santos FC (2025–) | Squad member, 2025 Série A | 1+ | — |
| Portsmouth (loan, 2025-26 Championship) | 761 minutes played | 1 | 0 |
FAQs
What is Gustavo Caballero’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is around $500,000, built mainly from his Santos transfer fee and Championship loan wages at Portsmouth, since his exact salary has not been officially disclosed.
Which club does Gustavo Caballero play for right now?
He plays for Portsmouth in the EFL Championship on loan from Brazilian Série A club Santos FC, having joined the loan deal on February 2, 2026.
Has Gustavo Caballero played at a World Cup?
Yes. He was named in Gustavo Alfaro’s 26-man Paraguay squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 1, 2026, after impressing during March friendlies.
How much did Santos pay for Gustavo Caballero?
Santos paid $1.6 million for 50% of his economic rights in July 2025, beating out a rival offer from Vasco da Gama that included a $2.2 million purchase option.
Does Gustavo Caballero have any endorsement deals?
No verified endorsement or sponsorship deals are currently attributed to him. His income is tied to club contracts rather than commercial partnerships at this stage of his career.
