Former Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gómez starts for Paraguay in World Cup 2026 | OneFootball

Brighton star overcome with emotion before World Cup debut

Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro embraced midfielder Diego Gómez as the Brighton & Hove Albion and former Inter Miami star struggled to express his feelings before La Albijorra's first World Cup match since 2010.

“There aren’t words. This is what we feel.," Alfaro told reporters at the pre-match press conference. “This is what all Paraguay feels and what the players also feel.”

Gómez , who attracted Brighton's attention as a pacy, tenacious, and versatile box-to-box central midfielder, rallied with his manager's support.

“You know me," he said. "I am very emotional and I will try to give 100% to bring happiness to the people.”

Former Inter Miami standout Diego Gómez battles U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie in the USMNT's 4-1 World Cup Group D win Friday against Gomez' Paraguay side. | Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Unfortunately, Paraguay lost its first group-stage match to the United States 4-1 Friday in Los Angeles. Gómez played 79 minutes before being removed after a yellow card; he managed five shots in his World Cup debut. Fortunately, in this year's expanded field, 32 of 48 teams will advance to the knockout stage of the competition. The top two teams from 12 four-team groups advance, along with the eight best third-place squads. Paraguay will play Group D sides Türkiye (11 p.m. ET, Friday) and Australia (10 p.m., June 25) with a realistic opportunity to make the round of 32.

“We are sad about the result," the former Heron said after the loss. "Now we need to get our heads back up for the next game against Turkey.”

Gómez signed with Inter Miami in July 2023 from Paraguayan side Libertad and helped Las Garzas capture the Leagues Cup championship. He was a mainstay of Tata Martino's Pink & Black side that won Major League Soccer's Supporters' Shield in 2024 with a league-record 74 points.

In 40 appearances across all competitions, Gómez scored 7 goals and added 7 assists for the Herons.

He signed a five-year deal with Brighton in December 2024. Transfermarkt reports that Inter Miami paid Libertad a $3.1 million transfer fee and received a $15 million fee from the EPL club. The site currently calculates Gómez' market value at $29 million.

Gomez has made 57 appearances wearing the Gulls' colors, contributing 11 goals and 2 assists.