Juan Marcelo Escobar Chena (Spanish pronunciation: ; born 3 July 1995) is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as either a centre-back or right-back for Argentine Primera División club Godoy Cruz. He has also been part of Paraguay's U20 and U23 teams.
Club career Sportivo Luqueño Born in Luque, Escobar started his career with hometown side Sportivo Luqueño. Promoted to the first team ahead of the 2014 season, he made his first team – and Primera División – debut on 16 February of that year, starting in a 3–0 away loss against Nacional Asunción.
Escobar subsequently became a regular starter for the side, and scored his first professional goal on 4 May 2016, netting his team's second in a 2–2 home draw against Sol de América.
Cerro Porteño On 28 December 2017, Escobar agreed to a five-year contract with Cerro Porteño, for a rumoured fee of US$ 1 million. He was a regular starter during his first campaign, playing as a central defender and partnering Marcos Cáceres.
Cruz Azul In 2019, he joined Mexican club Cruz Azul for a fee of USD$7 million, surpassing a 20-year transfer fee record in Paraguayan football held by Roque Santa Cruz when he joined Bundesliga team Bayern Munich for USD$6.9 million in 1999.
