Doctors control swelling around brain of shot Paraguay soccer player Salvador Cabanas

Cabanas’ condition improves after shooting

MEXICO CITY — Doctors trying to save the life of soccer player Salvador Cabanas say they have been able to control swelling around the brain area as the Paraguayan tries to recover from being shot in the head at close range in a Mexico City bar.

Dr. Enrique Martinez told reporters late Wednesday that Cabanas’ condition had stabilized, an improvement over his condition earlier in the day when the swelling increased around the brain after doctors tried to reduce his sedation level.

Cabanas, who was shot just before dawn on Monday, plays for Mexican club America and is also a top scorer on the Paraguay national team, which will play in the World Cup in June in South Africa.

Mexico City Attorney General Miguel Angel Mancera identified a main suspect on Tuesday — Jose J. Balderas Garza — from surveillance videos. Police have not reported detaining him.

“Salvador’s situation has remained stable, the swelling has been controlled within a normal range and we have not had any unsatisfactory change,” Martinez said. “On the contrary, the stability gives us some peace of mind and keeping the swelling down assures us he is getting good circulation in the brain area.”

Martinez also dismissed reports that Cabanas might be moved to Paraguay.

“He’s not going anywhere,” Martinez said. “This has never been considered. He has all he needs here and it would be risky to try to move him.”

Martinez said Cabanas responded favorably to the voices of his mother and wife when the sedation level was lowered on Tuesday. But he said the reduced sedation caused the brain swelling early on Wednesday.

“There is no complication,” Martinez said. “But he remains critical. He is definitely not worse than before, but the risk continues.”

The 29-year-old Cabanas was shot at point-blank range on Monday just before dawn in the bathroom of a bar in a well-off Mexico City neighborhood.

Police said the shooting may have been linked to a dispute that Cabanas’ brother-in-law was having with a Cuban woman and the suspect, Balderas Garza. Cabanas was at the bar with his wife and brother-in-law.

Hours after the shooting on Monday, surgeons attempted to remove a bullet lodged in Cabanas’ skull but decided the operation was too risky.

Cabanas has played in Mexico since 2003 and has scored 125 goals in 218 matches. He also has scored 10 for the Paraguay national team and was expected to lead the team at the World Cup.

Earlier this month he attracted the attention of Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who expressed interest in bringing Cabanas to the English Premier League club. Reports suggested the deal didn’t go through because America’s asking price was too high.