The Hammers defender is in the 39-man preliminary squad for the Copa America.
West Ham United have announced that Fabian Balbuena has been called up to the Paraguay preliminary squad for this summer’s Copa America in Brazil.
The Hammers defender has been named by manager Eduardo Berizzo in his 39-man squad, which will be trimmed down to 23 ahead of the tournament’s start on 14 June.
According to the West Ham website, Balbuena was one of 20 players to take part in a training session in Ypane – a city 20 miles from the capital Asuncion – on Monday.
Should the 27-year-old make the cut, he could be involved in the warm-up fixture with Honduras in his home city of Ciudad del Este on 5 June.
Paraguay take on Qatar – one of two invited nations along with Japan – in Rio de Janerio in their opening Group B fixture on 16 June before tackling Argentina in Belo Horizonte and Colombia in Salvador on 23 June.
Here is what some West Ham fans made on Twitter of the news that Balbuena is a step closer to being involved in South America’s showpiece international tournament this year:
Balbuena has made 24 appearances in all competitions this season for West Ham – 23 in the Premier League, having been out midway through the season with a knee injury – while for Paraguay he has won seven caps (Transfermarkt).
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