IN football, just a few seconds can change everything.
A stunning goal that sends a budding youngster flying onto the radar of a big club – or a sickening injury that can derail an entire career.
Salvador Cabanas has his career cruelly ended after being shot in the head at a nightclub in Mexico
Cabanas was on a night out at Bar Bar in Mexico City when he was shot in the toilets
Jose Jorge ‘JJ’ Balderas Garza was later identified as the shooter and is now serving a 20-year jail sentence
Cabanas was at the peak of his powers at Mexican side America at the time of the shooting
But as career-defining moments go, few are as shocking as what happened to former Paraguay international Salvador Cabanas.
The hotshot striker decided to celebrate his late rise to prominence with a night on the town in January 2010 and was shot in the head, aged 29.
At the start of a new decade, things were looking up for Cabanas, known as “El Mariscal” – or “The Admiral” in English – for his strapping physique and on-field swagger.
Cabanas was preparing to captain his nation at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – with Paraguay drawn alongside Italy, New Zealand and Slovakia.
On top of that, he was informed he’d be making a big-money move to “Manchester United or another European giant” at the conclusion of the tournament.
It had been a long road for Cabanas, who’d struggled to get his career up and running in Paraguay, with 12 De Octubre, located near capital city Asuncion.
Three years after his debut, though, Cabanas moved to Mexico – joining Chiapas in 2003.
He quickly surged into the spotlight and made his international debut within a year before his hot form saw him move to bigger and better things at Club de Futbol America – also in Mexico – in 2006.
That summer, he warmed the bench as Paraguay – led by Roque Santa Cruz – were knocked out of the 2006 World Cup in the group stage.
Cabanas’ squad lost to England and Sweden, before securing a consolation win against Trinidad and Tobago.
NEW START IN MEXICO
But with their disappointing campaign behind them, the striker had plenty to look forward to.
Starting at his new club in 2006, in the four years leading up to his shock shooting Cabanas scored an exceptional 96 goals in just 115 league games.
In fact, he was the top scorer at the Copa Libertadores in consecutive years between 2007 – when he also won El Pais’ South American Football of the Year award – and 2008.
He was the first player from a Mexican league to ever have that honour bestowed upon them.
Cabanas was also finally finding his feet internationally, scoring six times in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
There’s little wonder the likes of Man Utd came knocking.
And it was in January 2010 Cabanas agreed to a £1.35million move to Europe.
In 2014, speaking to Telefuturo, he recalled: “When this all happened I had a pre-contract agreement for £1.35m to join Manchester United or another big club.
“They told me my destination would be Manchester United.
“At [CdF] America, I got my salary doubled and they gave me an apartment in Acapulco and another in Cancun to keep me there.”
With the world at his feet, the late-bloomer was looking forward to one late salvo in Europe – maybe even the Premier League, at Old Trafford no less.
Salvador Cabanas was named El Pais’ South American Footballer of the Year in 2007
America fans held a banner of Cabanas aloft as a message of support after his shooting
Salvador Cabanas now works at his parents’ bakery in Paraguay
In celebration, Cabanas hit the clubs of Mexico City on January 25 – ending up in Bar Bar.
It was there he ended up becoming involved in an altercation, was followed into a toilet and shot in the head at 5am.
Cabanas was left for dead but miraculously survived to tell the tale – with his ex-wife later claiming he had reacted to being robbed.
In 2013, the Paraguayan revealed it was a deliberate attack to ensure he didn’t play at the World Cup later that year, as he believed his nation were amongst the favourites.
Speaking to MedioTiempo, Cabanas claimed the shooter had a gun to his head for ten minutes – and that he had taunted him by saying, “What are you waiting for?” in the build up to the shot being fired.
In the same interview, the striker claimed he met God and was touched on the same spot as his injury where he was told it was not yet his time to die and he must return to the land of the living and help those in need.
The 44-cap, ten-goal Paraguay international was in a coma for ten days after the shooting.
He would later tell he BBC he only survived thanks to being in top shape, claiming: “Football saved my life.”
The bullet that nearly took his life is still lodged in his skull to this day, with a scar still visible on his right temple, serving as a cruel reminder of a promising career so needlessly lost.
His shooter was later identified as Jose Jorge “JJ” Balderas Garza – a known assassin on the streets of Mexico City.
BITTER LEGAL BATTLE
JJ was said to have been working for renowned hitman Edgar “Barbie” Valdez Villarreal – the leader of the armed unit of a well-known drug-trafficking cartel, Beltran-Leyva.
Valdez is serving a 49-year prison sentence for his crimes.
JJ, meanwhile, was only imprisoned in 2019 – sentenced to 20 years behind bars – having been sheltered by Valdez.
Cabanas underwent a gruelling four-month rehabilitation in a desperate bid to get back onto the pitch – but at this time, America cancelled the player’s contract at the club.
The move sparked a bitter legal battle, before his misery worsened after an arrest warrant was issued against him on tax evasion charges a year later, in 2011.
That same year, he trained with Libertad in Asuncion as he fought to get back to football.
And, miraculously, Cabanas eventually managed to play again, when – in 2012 – he returned to his first club 12 De Octubre.
After being given a hero’s welcome, he managed just 14 appearances, failing to score.
In 2014, he gave football one last shot at Brazilian Serie D side Tanabi before hanging up his boots shortly after.
That year, ABC Color claimed he was struggling at home and selling bread at his parents’ bakery to stay afloat after “losing everything”.
Cabanas desperately tried to get back to football but failed after two false dawns
Salvador Cabanas was forced to go to court after his shooting
Cabanas accused his agent of stealing £13.5m in wages during his career.
The former striker’s father looks back at the 2010 shooting and subsequent stress with blind fury.
He claimed: “His professional life was cut short at the height of his career and then he was taken advantage of, by his partner, his agent and lawyer.”
Cabanas, though, was more philosophical, FORGIVING the shooter, despite robbing him of his career – with a World Cup and move to Man Utd on the horizon – as well as his health and financial security.
Speaking to Tigo Sports, he revealed: “Forgiveness has to come from the heart. I have forgiven those who hurt me; that gives me peace.
“I can only thank God for giving me a second chance, and I continue to enjoy my life.”
And on his new career as a baker, he concluded: “I am going to keep moving forward. I like the work, people recognise me and ask me about football. I have a lot of fun.”
Cabanas looks back at his career with fond memories
Cabanas has forgiven his shooter and says he is enjoying his new life
Cabanas was captain of Paraguay leading up to the 2010 World Cup
Cabanas has often spoken out about his shooting nightmare
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
