The report says Caballero used a break in his schedule to attend Panama’s training session near Toronto. He had reportedly been planning the visit for around a month and already knew some players, but this was his first chance to meet the squad in person.
The occasion also carried symbolic weight. Football is the sport most closely followed in Panama, and Caballero’s presence underlined the national team’s ability to capture attention beyond its usual sporting audience. He later returned to his baseball duties, but his message was clear: Panama’s World Cup journey matters.
Caballero’s comments suggested a close interest in the team’s personnel. When discussing Adalberto Carrasquilla, he offered a brief but affectionate assessment: “Ele é o Coco”.
He reportedly identified Amir Murillo as the Panama player currently performing at the highest level, while his visit itself gave the squad an unusual connection with one of the country’s most prominent athletes. That relationship could add energy around a team facing opponents with greater tournament pedigree.
Panama’s immediate challenge is Ghana, with Croatia and England waiting later in the group stage. The sequence leaves little room for a slow start: the opening match will set the emotional tone, while the following fixtures are expected to test the squad’s defensive discipline and ability to manage possession under pressure.
For Caballero, the football journey is a rare departure from baseball. He reportedly stopped playing football as a child because he disliked the possibility of a match ending without a winner, but Panama’s World Cup adventure has clearly drawn him back as a supporter.
The next storyline is whether the team can turn that growing attention into a composed performance against Ghana and give Caballero - and Panama’s wider sporting public - something memorable to follow.