RECORD FOR GUSTAVO GOMEZ

• Sep 23, 2025
• History Statistics

Gustavo Gómez set Copa Libertadores record for defenders

A Paraguayan Gustavo Gómez became the highest scoring defender in the history of the Copa Libertadores. 
On 18 September, the Palmeiras captain scored his 14th goal in the competition (all for hiscurrent club) in a quarterfinal match vs River Plate (2-1). 
Gómez surpassed a Chilean Rubén Espinoza who netted 13 goals in 6 seasons with Universidad Católica (4) and Colo Colo, champion in 1991 (9) between 1984 and 1991. His record remained untouched for many years until Gómez, with his imposing presence in the opposition's penalty area, managed to beat it.
Completing the podium of the highest-scoring defenders is Francisco "Chiqui" Arce, Gómez's compatriot, who scored 12 goals in 10 seasons for Cerro Porteño (4), Gremio (3) and Palmeiras (5).

*6 of Gustavo Gómez's 14 goals came in the Copa Libertadores knockout phase.

*Gómez equalled Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Uruguay) and Jonathan Calleri (Argentina), both also 14, as the third-highest foreign scorer for Brazilian teams in the Copa Libertadores, behind only Germán Cano (Argentina) and Paolo Guerrero (Peru), both with 17 goals.

*Earlier this season Gómez set another Copa Libertadores record: for most consecutive editions with scoring goals (8, from 2018 to 2025).
Alberto Spencer (1966 to 1972) and Fernando Morena (1973 to 1979), both with 7, were surpassed by him.

Second column from the right: goals from penalty kicks.