“The Women’s Copa América is approaching and the preparation of the national team is not adequate”

The bus trip from Piura to Lima lasted fifteen hours. Pierina Nunez He was barely 13 years old and had already made the first crucial decision for his future: leaving his family to pursue his desire to earn a living kicking balls. It was 2013 and she arrived in the capital at the request of Marta Tejedor, then the coach of the Peruvian national team who traveled north in search of jewels for the Bicolor team. Nine years have passed since that decision. Many at the time doubted. She does not. Never. Today she is at Real Betis B in the Second Division of Spain, at the age of 22, trying to make a name for herself in the elite of women’s football and leaving the name of Peru high. Thousands of kilometers from her native Piura, the striker analyzes the growth of the sport in our country and shows her concern for the Copa América Femenina that will be played in July.

—How are you doing in this new stage at Real Betis B?

I’m doing very well, I’m very happy. I was able to join the group very quickly after passing through Logroño. Now we are disputing the Second Division of Spain. Betis’ first team is in the First Division, which is my dream.

—How did you arrive at Betis?

At Logroño I started very well last season, but when they changed the coach I started to stay. With the new coach they stopped calling me often. I was just training on my own, I was still in Peru. A few hours after the transfer market closed, my representative called me and told me that Betis wanted me. I couldn’t believe it.

—How do you handle the pressure of being so far from home in search of your consolidation?

The truth is that I take it very calmly. I am very young, I am 22 years old. I arrived when I was 19 and I’m still learning about football here.

—Did you ever think about returning to Peru?

Yes, because of the situation I went through last season, but luckily I have people around me who support me a lot, who advise me and that’s why I’m still fighting for my dreams and staying where I am.

—You were one of the soccer players who emigrated after the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. From that year to today, how much do you think women’s soccer has improved in Peru?

Very much the truth. And I think it continues to grow by leaps and bounds. That thanks to the brands that also support. In my case, for example, I have Nike that gives me the best tools to be able to continue abroad representing my country.

—And in the selection there was also improvement in these years?

I think they treat us a little more like professionals. In the sense that, for example, we train in the mornings and no longer at night; We do it on natural grass courts and they give us breakfast and lunch. On that side, the change has been brutal.

—The Copa América is approaching, how do you think it will go?

I’m a little excited and also worried. Unfortunately we don’t have friendly matches so we can have them on FIFA dates. Many countries do have, but Peru is staying. I, as well as all my teammates, whether they call us or not, we really want to have friendly matches to be prepared for the Copa América.

“Haven’t they told you if there will be friendly matches?”

As far as I know, there will be a friendly in June against Mexico, a few days before going to the Copa América. That is what I understand. But, I mean, in all this time are we going to have only one friendly? Well…

—Due to the growth of women’s football, fans also expect results from the national team. What to tell them now that a Copa América is coming and there is little preparation?

The fans are obviously going to want good results, but you also have to see the preparation, right? The Copa América is approaching and the preparation of the senior team is not adequate. There should be a little more support, play games to measure ourselves against many countries and then reach the top of the Copa América.

—Was a process cut with the departure of Doriva Bueno, beyond how it happened?

The truth is that I was not very aware of whether there was any process when Professor Doriva was there. But we keep getting better. In the friendly in Paraguay we played a good role, we must continue on that path.

—How much will the Women’s League help the team in the Copa América?

A lot because the tournament has grown in competitiveness. The level of demand is higher every year. So it will help a lot that the girls are in continuous competition to give the best of us in the Copa América.

—Last week the women’s classic was played at the Monumental for the first time in history. On the other side of the world, what did you think?

The progress we have made is brutal. That Universitario plays in the Monumental, Cristal in the Alberto Gallardo and we hope that Alianza does it in Matute, that there are good stadiums and, above all, that the tournament is televised is a huge advance. I am very happy because it is a super big window for the players to show themselves and to emigrate.

—How was the local tournament when you were still playing here?

What everyone knows: it was not televised, it was played on fields that honestly did not measure up because you could not even play. A lot of things have changed and I’m glad we’re moving forward little by little. And not only in Peru, but throughout the world. Women’s football is gaining ground and taking power little by little.

—In Spain, Barcelona has been breaking records, making history by playing matches at the Camp Nou that is completely full…

Yes, the truth is that it is something very exciting. Here (Spain) football is experienced very well, they are very passionate. People live the same female as male.

—How long do we need to believe that Peruvian soccer is professional?

Much. But there are teams like Alianza that are already giving importance to their players. That seems very good to me because that way they motivate the other girls to keep making an effort. And from there we are, those of us who play outside. We have the responsibility to have a good image, to be a reference for the smallest.

—How much has your life changed with regard to football? How was it before and how is it now?

My stage before was beautiful and at the same time ugly. Pretty because I enjoyed playing, but ugly because I had to leave my family at a very young age to dedicate myself to this. Now in Spain I can live from football. In Peru it did not. My dream is that all soccer players in Peru can live from soccer.