Claudia Martínez
Claudia Martínez Ovando is a Paraguayan footballer who plays as a forward. She has represented Paraguay at U17, U20 and senior international level.
Did You Know?
Before football became her path, Claudia played handball and futsal in Capitán Bado, where handball was more established than the women’s game.
She has two memorable nicknames with different origins: “Claudinha” came from a Brazilian woman at a border tournament, while Paraguay staff member Noelia Barrios later nicknamed her “La Máquina” — The Machine.
Claudia is the fourth of five siblings, and their mother chose a first name beginning with C for every child: Clever, Crelian, Crislain, Claudia and Cleberson.
Her goal celebration often features a raised index finger, but she has never publicly revealed what the gesture means.
Away from training in Washington, she enjoys an uncomplicated routine of doing household chores, drinking tereré and listening to music.
Claudia’s family story was brought to a wider audience through the Paraguayan documentary El Renacer Albirrojo, which presents her as a young footballer breaking barriers.
Claudia grew up without football shirts or boots because her family could not afford them; she later treasured a gifted Inter Miami jersey and wore it whenever she could.
Claudia hopes to create a training centre in Paraguay for young players who have nowhere suitable to stay or no proper pitch on which to train.
Articles
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Ever since the NWSL established its U18 Entry Mechanism, allowing football’s youngest stars to achieve their professional dreams, the league has seen an influx of younger players giving even the most experienced footballers a hard time. Who are the best young players in the NWSL?
Claudia Martínez: A herald of Paraguay's golden age?
Claudia Martínez Ovando’s path to football was more tortuous than it should have been. Yet she never gave up on her dream, and within a few years, after playing handball and minifootball, she had established herself as one of the world’s top talents in her age group.
Sponsors
| Nike Football |
Club Achievements
| Copa Paraguay FEM | 1× |
| Supercopa Paraguay FEM | 1× |
| CONMEBOL South American U-17 Women’s Championship | 1× |
Awards
Stats
| Year | Club | AP | GL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2026
-
present
|
Washington Spirit | 17 | 4 |
|
2024
-
2025
|
Club Olimpia | 25 | 10 |
|
2023
-
|
Sportivo Ameliano | 11 | 11 |
| International Stats | |||
|
2024
-
present
|
Paraguay | 16 | 13 |
|
2024
-
2026
|
Paraguay U20 | 8 | 6 |
|
2024
-
2025
|
Paraguay U17 | 19 | 24 |
Team: Washington Spirit
