| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Denis Ramón Caniza Acuña[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1974-08-29)29 August 1974 (age 51) | ||
| Place of birth | Bella Vista, Paraguay | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft8+1⁄2 in)[2] | ||
| Position | 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) |
| Total | 648 | (19) | |
| International career | |||
| 1996–2010 | Paraguay | 100 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Denis Ramón Caniza Acuña (born 29 August 1974) is a Paraguayan formerfootballer who played as adefender.
Born inBella Vista, Amambay, Caniza started his career inOlimpia ofParaguay. He also played inLanús of Argentina,Santos Laguna,Atlas,Cruz Azul,Leon, andIrapuato of Mexico.
Caniza was 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 2006FIFA World Cup, Caniza announced his retirement from the Paraguay national team. However, when coachGerardo 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 played (when he was not injured or suspended) he captained the Paraguay national football team.
Caniza holds the distinction as the only Paraguayan footballer to be selected for 4 consecutiveFIFA World Cup Finals, having been chosen in1998,2002,2006 and2010.
Due to his small size and industrial play, he has been described byBBC South American reporterTim Vickery as "the ParaguayanNobby Stiles".
In December 2014, Caniza announced his retirement at the age of 40 and his intention to have wanted to retire at Olimpia Asunción.[3]
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 14 March 1998 | Qualcomm Stadium,San Diego, California, USA |  United States | 2–2 | Draw | Friendly |
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