The combative midfielder was born to Paraguayan parents but came up through the footballing ranks in Argentina. Later, after being overlooked by a succession of coaches there, he decided to try his luck in his parent’s homeland – a decision Albirroja fans are still grateful for to this day.

Determined to prove his doubters wrong, the strapping youngster - aptly named El Toro or ‘The Bull’ - made for the Paraguayan capital Asuncion with his father Artemio. Once there, capital side Nacional were quick to snap him up, and Acuna repaid their faith with a series of outstanding performances that would lead to his first international cap in March 1993. El Toro’s powerful displays at the heart of the Paraguay midfield soon earned him a move back to Argentine football, where he would go on to play for Argentinos Juniors, Independiente de Avellaneda and Buenos Aires giants Boca Juniors.

From the first time he donned the red and white of Paraguay against Bolivia, Acuna was considered an integral part of the national squad. Although a series of injuries forced him out of the international picture in 2002, a return to form and fitness saw the midfielder win back his place in the Albirroja starting XI and he played his part in driving Paraguay to a historic first South American qualifying win over the country of his birth, Argentina.

“I thought that I’d never be selected again, but fortunately I was wrong. The truth is that I feel like a kid again. I’m as excited and determined as ever and still feel the same nerves as I did before,” said Acuna, who will enter the finals with more than 90 caps to his name.

Pacy, strong in the tackle and blessed with great stamina and striking power, Acuna made his name on the European scene with Spanish sides Real Zaragoza and Deportivo La Coruna. The player has also enjoyed considerable success at club level, winning the South American Supercopa with Independiente in 1995 and helping Zaragoza to the 2001 Copa del Rey. However, El Toro has yet to fulfil one of his greatest ambitions: scoring a goal for Paraguay on world football’s biggest stage.

Acuna has so far played at two FIFA World Cups, in 1998 and 2002, but has yet to find the back of the net. In fact, the imposing midfielder’s campaign in Korea/Japan four years ago ended on an unhappy note as he was shown an injury-time red card in Paraguay’s second-round defeat by Germany in Seogwipo.

Thanks to the vision of coach Anibal Ruiz, however, Acuna - now shorn of his trademark flowing locks - has a chance to wipe the slate clean and fulfil his dream of scoring for Paraguay at the FIFA World Cup. Ruiz considers Acuna to be “a great player with vast experience and true leadership qualities, someone who can provide a calming influence for the youngsters in the squad”.

Faced with a glorious opportunity to end his international career on a high, you can be sure that Acuna will not be found wanting.