Denis Caniza

Denis Caniza

Personal information
Full name	Denis Ramón Caniza Acuña
Date of birth	(1974-08-29) 29 August 1974
Place of birth	Bella Vista, Paraguay
Height
Position(s)	Full back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1994–1999	Olimpia Asunción	97	(3)
1999–2001	Lanús	61	(1)
2001–2005	Santos Laguna	191	(8)
2005–2008	Cruz Azul	51	(0)
2006–2007	→ Atlas (loan)	39	(1)
2008–2009	Olimpia Asunción	35	(0)
2009	Nacional Asunción	20	(0)
2010–2011	León	35	(2)
2011	Nacional Asunción	20	(0)
2011	Irapuato	15	(1)
2012	Nacional Asunción	19	(1)
2013	Sportivo Luqueño	33	(0)
2014	Rubio Ñu	32	(2)
International career‡
1996–2010	Paraguay	100	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 December 2014 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 8 June 2010

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Caniza and the second or maternal family name is Acuña.

Denis Ramón Caniza Acuña (born 29 August 1974 in Bella Vista, Amambay) is a Paraguayan retired football defender who last played for Rubio Ñu in the Primera División Paraguaya.

Career

He started his career in Olimpia of Paraguay. He also played in Lanús of Argentina, Santos Laguna, Atlas, Cruz Azul, Leon, and Irapuato of Mexico.

Caniza has always been a regular in the Paraguay national football team because of his versatility, as he can play as a side defender or as a centre-back. After the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Caniza announced his retirement from the Paraguay national team. However, when coach Gerardo Martino took the helm of the national team Caniza was called back and accepted to return to play for Paraguay. After Gerardo Martino took the head coach job in the Paraguay national football team, Caniza was voted for his teammates to become the captain of the team, so every time he plays (when he is not injured or suspended) he captains the Paraguay national football team.

Caniza holds the distinction as the only Paraguayan footballer to be selected for 4 consecutive FIFA World Cup Finals, having been chosen in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010.

Due to his small size and industrial play, he has been described by BBC South American reporter Tim Vickery as "the Paraguayan Nobby Stiles".

In December 2014, Caniza announces his retirement at the age of 40 and his intention to have wanted to retire at Olimpia Asunción.

Career statistics

International goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	14 March 1998	Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California, USA	United States	2–2	Draw	Friendly
Correct as of 8 March 2012

Honours

Olimpia

• Paraguayan Primera División (4): 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999

Santos Laguna

• Mexican Primera División (1): 2001 Verano
• InterLiga (1): 2004

Nacional

• Paraguayan Primera División (1): 2009 Clausura

External links

• International statistics at rsssf
• Denis Caniza at National-Football-Teams.com
• Denis Caniza player information, club career stats and World Cup stats
• Denis Caniza stats in Mexico's 1st Division