Nelinho Quina: What do you do in training to be the surprise scorer in League 1?

Does the perfect criminal exist? Among the dozens of theories that exist to answer this complex question, Stephen Hawking concluded that 84% of the executions to the upper corners of the goal end in a goal. Nelinho Quina He is part of the other 16%: his three shots, which ended up inflating the nets, were low. Ball to one side, goalkeeper to the other. One hundred percent effective. Although the ‘norm’ set forth by the theoretical physicist says one thing, the surprising scorer of academic in League 1, with four goals -and an own goal as if that were not enough-, it has its own rules. This also contradicts that false soccer law that seeks to “retire” those over 30 years of age. The center-back, with 34, is having an incredible start to the year.

Beyond the goals that in a center back become a plus before his first task to fulfill on the field, Quina’s performance has been sustained over the last few seasons. Champion in 2009, he returned to the club ten years later at the request of Chilean Nicolás Córdova and is the undisputed starter. Seven technicians passed and they all agreed on something: he is the benchmark and leader. That is why his average number of games per season is 29.

“Nelinho is a 34-year-old player who, if I had a young team and had to recommend an older player as a reference and who is contagious, would be one of them”, tells us Daniel Curbelo, former physical trainer of the ‘U’ with don Gregorio Pérez. He had little, but he was left with the best impression.

The questions that now arise are the following: What is the central defender’s secret to being one of the indisputable players in this ‘U’ for Álvaro Gutiérrez that excites the fan? Are we facing a new case like that of Benjamin Button? Nelinho, the ‘Kid’ for many, does not have a secret potion, but there is much behind his success.

a positive leader

Nelinho Quina began his career as a winger. Luis ‘Cuto’ Guadalupe, his partner in 2011 in that Juan Aurich who became national champion beating Alianza Lima in the finals, tells us that in the Chiclayo locker room they called him ‘Power’. “He was very powerful, strong. He had great muscle mass and an unmistakable back and forth for his band”.

Today’s Quina, central from the left next to Federico Alonso, had to adapt and know how to handle the times better. “The experience makes him handle the distances, the speed. Of course, as long as he is surrounded by teammates who put the other, which is intensity, he will be very important. I think that due to the form and care he has, there may be Nelinho for a while”affirms Curbelo.

“I enjoy every day of training. The motivation is my family and my next daughter who is going to come. You can never stop learning no matter how old you are, that is the key to what is happening to me”, commented the defender at a conference when asked about the good times he is experiencing.

The other aspect -family and emotional balance- is also one of the keys. “He always talked about family, how important it was to him. And that made him give himself to training, very professional”highlights the ‘Cuto’.

“On a day-to-day basis, he is a very cheerful person, even though he doesn’t seem like it. And the best thing about him is that he likes to advise the boys. He sets the example as a professional, he is one of the first to train and tries to add experience to the boys ”Pajuelo points out.

“Tell by example. From what I knew, he is a player who contributes a lot but without transcending. More than making himself felt or appearing in training or games, what he transmits in the intern, where nobody sees him, I know that he has a good influence with his teammates ”adds Curbelo.

Nelinho Quina He does not have a potion to stand out in the midst of the great present of Universitario in Liga 1. Basically, according to the testimonies of professionals who have been close to him, it is the result of constant work and sacrifice. Also the fruits of leading a balanced, professional life.

Why do you kick penalties?

When Don Gregorio Pérez took over for the second time as Universitario coach in 2020, Alex Valera was the scorer to recover. The ‘U’ and the footballer himself needed it. In the coach’s debut against San Martín, the ‘9’ missed a penalty and the DT decided not to shoot again from the twelve steps. “You are not going to kick any more penalties, I have to protect you”, Told him. “Don’t you have confidence?”the striker asked. “If I didn’t trust you, you won’t play as a starter again. You are going to continue as a starter, but I have to protect you”the strategist clarified, as he told Gol Peru in an interview.

“He shows in training and when he has had to play in games in very tense circumstances to be effective. He has earned a place to kick penalties and the trust of everyone”points out Daniel Curbelo.

“I’ve never been so wrong, ha ha ha”Pajuelo jokes. “That has its merit, ah. It’s not just kicking the penalty, you have to score”he adds.

Beyond everything, Nelinho today is one of the top scorers in the national tournament. To his mettle and security deep down he has added the ability to be present on the scoreboard. He prevents goals and makes them. At 34 years old, he is the unprecedented scorer in League 1 who has no more secrets than training like a youth every day.