Cabañas was also a member of the Paraguay national football team from 2004 to 2010, scoring 10 goals in 44 appearances and participating in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 Copa América.

He was known for his array of skills on the field such as excellent heading, accurate shooting with either foot, receptions in tight spaces, and a combination of technique, power, and positional sense.

Sixteen months after the assault he returned to football and participated in a tribute match for him between Paraguay's national team and Club América.

[4] Cabañas started his career at Club 12 de Octubre, where he was promoted to the first division, by then-coach Alicio Solalinde, scoring 17 goals in his first season.

Cabañas left intensive care in late February and was hoping to fully recover in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup but was not selected for the final Paraguay squad.

In 2013, Cabañas gave his version of the incident which stated that in his opinion the attack occurred so that he would not play at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and that Paraguay would not be crowned champions of the competition.

[16] He then made his competitive return to football on 14 April, starting and playing forty minutes, in the club's 2–0 win over Martín Ledesma in the opening round of the Primera B.

[18] Cabañas was invited to partake in a half time memorial appearance for Chiapas in a Liga MX match against Pumas.

[19] On 26 January 2014, Cabañas announced his retirement from football, after having received an offer from the Mexican second division side Murciélagos FC.

[20][21] However, on 1 February 2014, it was announced that Cabañas had signed with Club 12 de Octubre, who had been promoted to the Paraguayan Primera División for the 2014 season.

Sologa stated that Cabañas was out of physical form and discarded from the Torneo Apertura but would continue to participate in the club's training sessions.

[24] On 17 March 2014, it was announced that Cabañas had signed a three-month contract with São Paulo Segunda Divisão (equivalent to the state fourth division) outfit Tanabi Esporte Clube.

[39] Paraguay qualified for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship as Cabañas was selected in the squad which featured Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Cuevas.