A FORMER Champions League star has been involved in a nasty car crash.
Oscar Cardozo smashed a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser into a retro Mercedes in Paraguay.
Local reports state the striker collided with the other vehicle in the Jara neighbourhood of the capital city Asuncion.
But as he tried to avoid further damage, he inadvertently sent his motor into a lamp post, crumpling the bonnet.
To make matters worse, Record state Cardozo is said to have been driving the car without registration.
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Thankfully, though, no one was injured.
Cardozo updated fans on Instagram and said: "First of all, I inform everyone that thank God I'm fine, and that the other party involved is fine too, there was only material damage. Thank you all."
The incident took place at around 5.45pm on Monday evening.
Incredibly that was less than 24 hours after Cardozo, 39, scored FOUR first-half goals for Club Libertad in the 5-0 thrashing of Cerro Porteno.
The fourth, in the 11th minute of stoppage time, saw Cardozo strike the ball so hard that Porteno goalkeeper Jean literally ducked out of the way of it.
Cardozo - aka Tacuara - earned his move to Europe after impressing for Newell's Old Boys in Argentina and spent seven successful years with Benfica from 2007 to 2014.
The 6ft 4ins forward managed 172 goals in 292 games, winning two Primeira Ligas and reaching two Europa League finals, before spells with Trabzonspor and Olympiacos and then returned to his homeland in 2017.
On the international stage, Cardozo played a key role in Paraguay reaching their first World Cup quarter-final.
However, he missed a crucial penalty after being brought down by Gerard Pique before eventual champions Spain went on to win 1-0.
