Nelson Valdez

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Nelson Antonio Haedo Valdez, born November 28, 1983, in Caaguazú, Paraguay, is a Paraguayan football coach and former professional striker. He currently serves as an assistant coach for Werder Bremen II.

Valdez grew up in a poor district of Paraguay and began his career with Atlético Tembetary (Primero de Mayo). He moved to Germany with Werder Bremen II in 2001 and soon joined Bremen’s first team, helping them win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal in 2003–04. He later played for Borussia Dortmund, Hércules in Spain, Rubin Kazan in Russia (with a loan to Valencia in 2012–13), Al Jazira in the United Arab Emirates, Olympiacos in Greece (loan), Eintracht Frankfurt, MLS side Seattle Sounders FC (where he won the 2016 MLS Cup), and Cerro Porteño in Paraguay before retiring in 2021.

Internationally, Valdez represented Paraguay from 2004 to 2017, earning 77 caps and scoring 13 goals. He played in the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups and helped Paraguay finish as runners-up at the 2011 Copa América.

Off the field, Valdez and his wife, Martynka Haedo Valdez, run a foundation supporting his hometown of San Joaquín. He is known for his charitable work and for staying connected with his family.