Claudia Martínez

Forward • Age 18 • #11

Claudia Martínez Ovando is a Paraguayan footballer who plays as a forward. She has represented Paraguay at U17, U20 and senior international level.

Photo: IMAGO | Sports Press Photo

Fun Facts about Claudia

Discover more than stats. Get more of who she is.

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.