The player nicknamed "Marshall" played for eight minutes for America in the first half and 10 minutes for Paraguay in the second of a friendly at the Azteca, his former home ground, that ended 0-0 on Wednesday night.
"For us the most important thing was that he should feel happy and comfortable," Paraguay's new coach Francisco Arce said.
"He's a well loved lad, he's blessed after all he's been through. Whether he comes back into the professional game or not is secondary," Arce told reporters.
"[Cabanas] deserves [the honour], it was worth it for him and the America fans who adore him," said the Mexican club's Chilean coach Carlos Reinoso.
Cabanas was shot during an argument in the nightclub restroom by "JJ" Balderas, who was arrested last January after drugs baron Edgar "La Barbie" Valdez, captured in August 2010, admitted to helping JJ hide after the shooting incident.
The striker had last played at the Azteca on January 17, 2010 when he scored twice in America's 5-1 win over San Luis in the Mexican championship. His last match was a 2-0 defeat away to Morelia two days before the January 25 shooting.
