Overview
Antonio Sanabria, widely known as Tonny Sanabria, is a professional footballer from Paraguay who has established himself as a versatile attacking player in European football. Born on March 4, 1996, in San Lorenzo, Paraguay, Sanabria's journey in football began in South America before he moved to Spain at a young age, joining the renowned La Masia academy of FC Barcelona. Standing at 1.80 m, Sanabria primarily operates as a centre-forward, though his technical attributes allow him to play across the front line, including as a second striker or on the wings.
Position
As a forward, Sanabria's primary role typically involves leading the line, providing a focal point in attack, and converting goal-scoring opportunities. His ability to link up play, hold the ball, and make intelligent runs into the box are key aspects of his game. While he is often deployed as a traditional number nine, his comfort on the ball and passing range also enable him to drop deeper and contribute to build-up play, creating space for teammates or initiating attacks from deeper positions.
Identity
Sanabria's identity as a footballer is characterized by a blend of technical finesse and predatory instinct in front of goal. He possesses a refined first touch and the ability to operate effectively in tight spaces, making him a challenging opponent for defenders. His career has seen him transition through various leagues, adapting his game to different tactical demands, which underscores his versatility and professional resilience. He is often seen as a "modern striker" capable of both scoring and contributing to the overall offensive structure of his team.
Career path
Antonio Sanabria's footballing journey began in Paraguay before a significant move to Europe shaped his professional trajectory. His youth career started at local clubs in Paraguay before he joined the youth ranks of FC Barcelona's La Masia academy in 2009 at the age of 13. He progressed through the various youth categories, eventually making his debut for Barcelona B in the Segunda División in 2013, at just 17 years old [1].
Sassuolo & Roma
In January 2014, Sanabria made a move to Italian Serie A side Sassuolo, though he did not make any first-team appearances for the club. This transfer was a precursor to his move to AS Roma in July 2014, where he signed a permanent contract [1]. During his tenure at Roma, Sanabria primarily featured for the Primavera (youth) team but also made two Serie A appearances for the senior side during the 2014-2015 season [2].
Sporting Gijón Loan
To gain more first-team experience, Sanabria was loaned to Spanish La Liga club Sporting Gijón for the 2015-2016 season. This loan spell proved to be a breakout period for him, as he scored 11 goals in 29 league appearances, demonstrating his goal-scoring prowess at a competitive level [1]. His performances were instrumental in helping Sporting Gijón avoid relegation.
Real Betis
Following his successful loan spell, Sanabria attracted interest from several clubs, eventually signing with Real Betis in July 2016 [1]. He spent three seasons at the Seville-based club, albeit with some injury interruptions. His time at Betis saw him score important goals and showcase his technical ability, making 37 league appearances and scoring 9 goals across his first two seasons [1].
Genoa & Torino Loans
In January 2019, Sanabria moved to Italian club Genoa on loan for 18 months. He scored 6 goals in 31 league appearances during his time there [1]. Following this, he returned to Real Betis briefly before being loaned to Torino FC in January 2021. This loan move was made permanent in the summer of 2021, and Sanabria has since established himself as a key attacking component for the Turin-based club in Serie A [1].
Playing style
Antonio Sanabria's playing style is characterized by a combination of intelligent movement, technical proficiency, and a keen eye for goal. As a forward, he possesses attributes that allow him to be effective both as a lone striker and as part of a two-man attack. His 1.80 m frame, combined with good strength, enables him to hold up play effectively, bringing teammates into attacking transitions.
One of Sanabria's key strengths is his off-the-ball movement. He exhibits good spatial awareness, making intelligent runs into the channels or behind opposition defenders, creating passing angles and goal-scoring opportunities. This attribute is often highlighted in his ability to get into dangerous positions inside the penalty area, anticipating crosses or cut-backs. His finishing ability is generally reliable, with a knack for scoring with both feet and his head, particularly from close range.
Technically, Sanabria is comfortable on the ball. He possesses a clean first touch, which allows him to control difficult passes and quickly transition into dribbling or shooting. His dribbling, while not his primary asset, is effective in tight spaces, enabling him to evade markers and maintain possession under pressure. He also contributes to build-up play, often dropping deeper to link with midfielders. His passing accuracy in the final third can be a valuable asset for creating chances.
Defensively, Sanabria demonstrates a willingness to press from the front, contributing to his team's defensive efforts by harrying opposition defenders and goalkeepers. While not a high-volume defender, his work rate in initiating defensive actions can be important for tactical schemes that prioritize high pressing. Comparatively, his style shares elements with traditional poachers who rely on positioning, but also includes the technical capacity for link-up play, similar to players like Andrea Belotti or even a younger Álvaro Morata, who combine goal-scoring with team contribution [3].
Achievements & honours
Antonio Sanabria's career has seen him contribute to various clubs across Europe, and while individual major team honours have been limited, his consistent presence in top-flight leagues underscores his quality and impact. His time in Italy and Spain has been marked by personal milestones and significant contributions to his respective teams.
One of the notable periods for Sanabria was his loan spell at Sporting Gijón during the 2015-2016 season. During this time, he was a crucial player in their fight against relegation from La Liga, scoring 11 goals in 29 appearances. This performance helped secure Sporting Gijón's top-flight status for another season, demonstrating his immediate impact and goal-scoring ability in a challenging environment.
While specific major titles have not been a consistent feature of his senior career, his development through the renowned La Masia academy at Barcelona is an achievement in itself, reflecting a high level of technical and tactical grounding from a young age. His progression from Barcelona B to Serie A and La Liga is a testament to his talent and perseverance.
Throughout his career, Sanabria has consistently been a vital attacking outlet for his clubs, contributing goals and assists. His presence in Serie A with Torino FC since 2021 highlights his sustained relevance in one of Europe's top leagues. As of May 2026, his primary honours include:
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| FC Barcelona Juvenil A | UEFA Youth League | 2013-2014 (Squad member, departed Jan 2014) |
International career
Antonio Sanabria has been a consistent presence in the Paraguay national football team, representing his country at various levels before making his senior debut. His international journey began with appearances for Paraguay's U-17 and U-20 teams, where he showcased his goal-scoring talent and leadership qualities [4].
He made his senior international debut for Paraguay on August 14, 2013, in a friendly match against Bolivia, at the age of just 17 [4]. Since then, he has regularly been called up to the Albirroja squad, participating in qualifications for both the FIFA World Cup and the Copa América tournaments.
Sanabria has played a role in Paraguay's attempts to qualify for major tournaments, often serving as a key attacking option. He has featured in multiple cycles of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, competing against some of the strongest national teams in South America. As of May 2026, he has accumulated 31 caps for his country and scored 3 international goals, contributing to crucial matches for Paraguay [4]. His most significant goal contributions often come in high-stakes qualification fixtures, where his ability to find the back of the net is highly valued.
While Paraguay has faced challenges in consistently qualifying for the latter stages of major tournaments in recent years, Sanabria remains a vital part of their attacking contingent. His experience in European top leagues brings a valuable dimension to the national team, providing a professional edge and tactical awareness within the squad. He continues to be a central figure in Paraguay's ambitions for future international competitions.
What makes Antonio Sanabria stand out
Antonio Sanabria stands out due to his blend of technical refinement and predatory instincts in front of goal, combined with an impressive adaptability across European leagues. His early exposure to elite academies like La Masia instilled a strong technical foundation, visible in his first touch and ability to operate in confined spaces. This technical prowess allows him to connect play effectively, dropping deep to link with midfielders before making intelligent runs into scoring positions.
A distinctive trait is his knack for being in the right place at the right time. Sanabria often anticipates plays, positioning himself effectively to convert crosses or rebounds, showcasing a strong footballing IQ. He is not merely a target man; he actively participates in the build-up, using his passing range to create opportunities for teammates. His resilience, demonstrated by his successful loan spell at Sporting Gijón and his subsequent moves to establish himself in Serie A, highlights a strong professional mentality.
"Sanabria is a striker with modern characteristics; he's capable of scoring goals and also working for the team, linking play and helping win the ball back."