Celso Ortiz
Celso Fabián Ortiz Gamarra (born 26 January 1989) is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Club Nacional Asunción in the Paraguayan Primera División.[1] Born in Asunción, Paraguay, Ortiz began his senior career with hometown club Cerro Porteño in 2008, helping them win the 2009 Primera División Apertura during his two-year stint there.[2][3] In 2010, he moved to Europe, joining Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, where he spent six seasons, making 139 appearances and contributing to their 2012–13 KNVB Cup victory.[2][4] Ortiz returned to South American football in 2016 by signing with Mexico's Monterrey, enjoying his most successful period with the club over the next seven years; he featured in 264 matches and scored 4 goals, and secured major honors including the 2019 Liga MX Apertura, the 2019 and 2020–21 CONCACAF Champions League titles, and the 2019–20 Copa México.[2][4][3] In August 2023, he transferred to fellow Liga MX team Pachuca, where he played one season and added the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup to his résumé before joining Nacional on 1 January 2025.[5][6][1] At the international level, Ortiz represented Paraguay at youth level, including 10 caps and 3 goals for the under-20 team, with whom he participated in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[7] He debuted for the senior Paraguay national team in 2010 and accumulated 22 caps without scoring a goal by his last appearance in 2019.[8]Club career
Cerro Porteño (2007–2010)
Celso Fabián Ortiz Gamarra was born on 26 January 1989 in Asunción, Paraguay, and developed his early football talents in the youth academy of local club Cerro Porteño, his boyhood team.[1] As a promising defensive midfielder, Ortiz progressed through the club's youth ranks, honing his skills in technical play and tactical awareness before earning promotion to the senior setup.[1] Ortiz made his professional debut for Cerro Porteño in 2007 at the age of 18, quickly establishing himself in the first team during the Paraguayan Primera División seasons. Over his tenure from 2007 to 2010, he appeared in 46 matches and scored 7 goals, demonstrating versatility in midfield roles and contributing to the team's defensive solidity and attacking transitions.[9] His consistent performances, including timely goals in league fixtures, helped solidify his reputation as a reliable prospect in domestic football. During the 2009 Torneo Apertura, Ortiz played a key role in Cerro Porteño's successful campaign, which culminated in the club securing its 28th league title with 46 points from 22 matches, finishing ahead of rivals Libertad.[10] His contributions in midfield were instrumental in the team's balanced approach, aiding their qualification for continental competitions and showcasing his growing influence on match outcomes. Ortiz's standout displays in the Paraguayan league, particularly his goal tally and midfield control, drew attention from European scouts, leading to a transfer to AZ Alkmaar in January 2010 on an undisclosed fee and a five-year contract.[11] This move marked the end of his formative years at Cerro Porteño and the beginning of his European career.AZ Alkmaar (2010–2016)
In January 2010, Celso Ortiz transferred from Cerro Porteño to AZ Alkmaar on a five-year contract, marking his entry into European football after establishing himself as a promising defensive midfielder in Paraguay.[12] The move represented a significant step up in competitive level, requiring adjustment to the faster pace and tactical demands of the Eredivisie, though specific details on his initial integration into the squad under coach Ronald Koeman remain limited in contemporary reports. Ortiz made his debut for AZ shortly after arriving, appearing as a substitute in the 2009–10 season toward the end of their title-winning campaign, but his role was initially peripheral as he acclimated to the Dutch style emphasizing possession and pressing.[1] Over the course of his tenure from 2010 to 2016, Ortiz accumulated 139 appearances and scored 2 goals across all competitions, primarily contributing in the Eredivisie where he featured in 96 league matches.[13] His contributions extended to European competitions, including 13 appearances in the UEFA Europa League across multiple group stage campaigns, such as the 2013–14 season where AZ advanced to the round of 32, and domestic KNVB Cup runs that saw the team reach semifinals in 2012–13.[14] As a defensive midfielder, Ortiz focused on ball recovery and distribution, averaging around 2.5 tackles per game in key Eredivisie seasons, helping AZ maintain competitive mid-table finishes and occasional pushes for European qualification.[8] Ortiz solidified his place as a regular starter by the 2011–12 season, logging 26 appearances across competitions under coaches like Gertjan Verbeek, which highlighted his growing importance in AZ's midfield setup. His form peaked in 2013–14 with consistent starts amid AZ's Europa League run, but he encountered setbacks from injuries, including an ankle injury in 2015–16 that sidelined him for 10 days. These interruptions, combined with squad competition, occasionally affected his rhythm, yet Ortiz's tenacity in recovery and international call-ups underscored his resilience during the latter years at the club.[15]C.F. Monterrey (2016–2023)
Celso Ortiz joined C.F. Monterrey on a free transfer from AZ Alkmaar in June 2016, marking his return to the Americas after six years in Europe and establishing him as the club's first signing for the Apertura 2016 season. As a defensive midfielder, Ortiz quickly anchored the midfield, providing stability and tactical discipline that complemented Monterrey's high-pressing style in Liga MX. His experience from the Eredivisie helped him adapt to the intensity of Mexican football, where he emphasized the importance of team unity in post-match reflections.[16] Over his seven seasons with Monterrey, Ortiz emerged as a key leader, assuming the captaincy in his later years and contributing to several competitive league campaigns. He featured prominently in high-stakes matches, including the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League final against Club América, where he started and played the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 victory that secured the title. His defensive positioning and distribution were instrumental in playoff runs, such as the Clausura 2019 semifinal against rivals Tigres UANL, where he logged consistent minutes amid intense Clásico Regio derbies. Off the pitch, Ortiz bolstered team morale through his professionalism and integration into Mexican football culture, often crediting the passionate fanbase for motivating the squad during extended stays in Nuevo León.[16] Ortiz's statistical contributions underscored his reliability, with a total of 264 appearances, 4 goals, and 9 assists across all competitions during his tenure.[17] He averaged over 1,200 minutes per season in Liga MX, peaking in the 2019/20 Apertura with 17 appearances and 1,521 minutes as Monterrey pursued the title. In international fixtures like the CONCACAF Champions League, he provided defensive cover in 14 matches, including 7 starts in the 2018/19 tournament en route to another championship. His assist tally, particularly 3 in the 2022/23 Clausura, highlighted his growing role in transitions, while his consistent starting XI presence—over 80% in most seasons—reflected his endurance and low injury rate.| Season | Liga MX Appearances (Goals/Assists) | CONCACAF Apps (Minutes) | Total Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016/17 | 27 (1/1) | 1 (90) | 2,473 |
| 2017/18 | 27 (2/1) | 0 | 2,626 |
| 2018/19 | 26 (1/1) | 7 (324) | 3,386 |
| 2019/20 | 26 (0/1) | 0 | 3,094 |
| 2020/21 | 31 (0/1) | 6 (385) | 2,556 |
| 2021/22 | 28 (0/0) | 0 | 2,183 |
| 2022/23 | 32 (0/4) | 0 | 3,060 |