Julio César Enciso EspÃÂnola (born 23 January 2004) is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for club Strasbourg and the Paraguay national team.
Enciso started playing football at his local club in Caaguazú, Paraguay. At age 12 he was recruited by Libertad. Enciso made his senior debut for Club Libertad on 17 March 2019, aged 15, in a 4âÂÂ0 home victory against Deportivo SantanÃÂ. He became the youngest player to debut with Libertad.
On 17 June 2022, Enciso transferred to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion for a transfer fee of ã9.5 million plus future add-on fees, signing an initial four-year contract. He made his Brighton debut on 24 August, playing 80 minutes of the 3âÂÂ0 away win over League One side Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Cup second round, where he claimed assist to Steven Alzate's long range goal.
Enciso made his Premier League debut on 29 October, coming on as a 65th minute substitute for Adam Lallana in Brighton's 4âÂÂ1 home win over Chelsea. He scored his first goal for the club on 4 April 2023, in a 2âÂÂ0 away win at Bournemouth. Nearly two weeks later, he scored in a 1âÂÂ2 away win over Chelsea, helping the Albion secure a victory at Stamford Bridge for the first time in their history.
Enciso started in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on 23 April, playing 67 minutes as Brighton eventually lost 7âÂÂ6 on penalties to Manchester United. Three days later, the 19-year-old made his first Premier League start for the Albion, in the 3âÂÂ1 away loss at Nottingham Forest. Three days after that on 29 April, he made two assists in Brighton's 6âÂÂ0 home victory over the Wolves, Brighton's biggest Premier League victory.
On 14 May, Enciso opened the scoreline with a header from a Pervis Estupiñán cross in an eventual 3âÂÂ0 away win at Arsenal. He scored his first goal at Falmer Stadium on 24 May, scoring a 25-yard goal against Manchester City, with Brighton sealing a place in the 2023âÂÂ24 UEFA Europa League. The goal was chosen as BBC Goal of the Season for 2022âÂÂ23 and later chosen as Premier League Goal of the Season, beating out the likes of Brentford's Ivan Toney and Newcastle's Miguel Almirón in a vote decided by a panel of experts as well as the public's opinion. Enciso also went on win the Goal of the Season at Brighton's end of season awards.
On 19 August 2023, Enciso set up both of Solly March's goals in a 4âÂÂ1 away win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brighton's second match of the 2023âÂÂ24 season. However, the following week, the striker suffered a knee issue and was subsequently ruled out for "a long period", according to manager Roberto De Zerbi.
On 23 January 2025, Enciso joined fellow Premier League club Ipswich Town on loan for the remainder of the 2024âÂÂ25 season. He made his debut against Liverpool in a 4âÂÂ1 loss, coming on as a substitute.
On 1 September 2025, Enciso joined Ligue 1 club Strasbourg on a deal worth ã17 million, with Brighton retaining a sell-on clause.
Enciso is a Paraguayan youth international, having played with the Paraguay U15 side at the 2019 South American U-15 Championship. He first represented the senior Paraguay national team in a 3âÂÂ1 2021 Copa América win over Bolivia on 14 June 2021.
Enciso plays as a central forward and is right-footed. Agile in his movements, with a good sense of goal, a precise shot from mid-range, and skill in dribbling. In addition to his main position as a central forward, he can also play on the wings as an attacker or in a more central role, such as an attacking midfielder or false 9. In an interview with Infobae, Enciso expressed his willingness to occupy different positions within the team and his ability to adapt to the coach's requirements.
In another interview, Enciso mentioned that he drew inspiration from his compatriot ÃÂscar Cardozo, with whom he shared a team at Club Libertad. He also spoke about his admiration for Ronaldinho, whom he considers his idol, and his attentive observation of Cristiano RonaldoâÂÂs plays.
In 2021, Enciso was included in the list of the top sixty footballers born in 2004, compiled by the British newspaper The Guardian. In June 2023, he was nominated for the Golden Boy Award, given annually by the Italian newspaper Tuttosport, ranking 48th among the 100 candidates. Both Enciso and Argentine Alejandro Garnacho were the only South American representatives selected for this recognition.
On 17 July 2024, Enciso was recognised as the second-best U-21 player in the world in terms of creativity and effectiveness in finishing plays, second only to French player Rayan Cherki. This recognition comes from an analysis by the Centre International d'Etude du Sport (CIES) and was shared through X. Enciso scored 78.7 out of 100, standing out for his ability to create goal-scoring opportunities and take shots on target, although the analysis did not evaluate the accuracy of his shots.
Scores and results list Paraguay's goal tally first.
Libertad
Individual
Records