Bobadilla shines after Crespo’s arrival, steady season at São Paulo | OneFootball

In 2025, Paraguayan Damián Bobadilla experienced his second season with São Paulo. An important midfielder and a pillar for the Paraguayan national team, the 24-year-old player had a regular year, but notably showed growth after the arrival of coach Hernán Crespo in June. 

Alongside Marcos Antônio, Bobadilla had his best moments of the year. The duo gained prominence under Crespo’s system, who saw in the midfielders a great opportunity to support the formation he desired. 

Additionally, in the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship, Bobadilla enjoyed an offensively important phase, which helped the team “not suffer” in the competition. In the last eight games of the tournament, the midfielder scored twice (against Bahia and Juventude) and provided one assist (against Internacional), totaling three goal involvements. 

  See this photo on Instagram   A post shared by Damián Bobadilla (@damibobadilla_8)

Struggling under Zubeldía

If Bobadilla gained confidence under Crespo, he had a tough end to the first semester with Zubeldía. In the final stretch of the coach’s tenure at São Paulo, the Paraguayan lost his spot as an undisputed starter. 

In Zubeldía’s last 20 games with São Paulo, Bobadilla was not used six times and started on the bench in ten matches. 

Photo: Rubens Chiri / Saopaulofc.net

With Paraguay

If the season with São Paulo had its ups and downs, with Paraguay it was a year full of joy. As one of the main players for the national team, Bobadilla helped his country qualify for a World Cup after 16 years. 

For Paraguay, he played eight games in 2025, with one goal and three assists. For São Paulo, meanwhile, he played 52 matches, scoring four goals and providing three assists. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.