Alex Valera to Central?: the most remembered steps of Peruvians in Argentine soccer in recent years

the adventure of alex valera It began in front of the sea, with beach soccer as its great passion. But then the Pomalca-born striker moved from the sand to the grass courts, making a big name for himself in the Copa Peru. In fact, he achieved promotion to the First Division with two different teams: Pirata FC and Deportivo Llacuabamba. After shining later in the highest category of Peruvian football, academic -the most successful club in the country- opened the doors of the Monumental Stadium for him and nothing could prevent the cream ‘9’ from becoming, in the opinion of many, the best center forward in the local tournament today. Not coincidentally, his name now resonates strongly abroad, especially in Argentina, where many Peruvians have already left their mark.

alex valera has positioned himself as one of the main goalscoring options of the Central Rosary, a club that today is directed by Carlos Tévez, in the transfer market. According to what they say from Argentina, the ‘Apache’ wants to have the ‘U’ striker in their ranks, an operation that can only be carried out until July 7, the closing date for transfers in Argentine soccer.

“Central is looking for a goalscorer. The reference is that he is powerful. Rosario is a club of magnitude that usually takes no less than 35 thousand people. There are sporting demands because they are not having a good time and also their classic rival, Newell’s, is a leader in Argentina. The arrival of Tévez has provided optimism for his call and that is why he is looking for an international ‘9 ′, appearing the name of Valera ”pointed out the journalist Fernando Carrafiello, who follows the day-to-day of the ‘scoundrels’, in dialogue with Fútbol Como Cancha of RPP Noticias.

In his year and a half with academic, alex valera He has won the hearts of the cream fans based on goals (22 goals in 46 games) and, in addition, thanks to that large quota he has been considered in the Peruvian team, playing eight international matches. All this has allowed it to be in the orbit of Rosario Central. And is not for less.

If his arrival at the Tévez team materializes, the ‘9’ of academic He will join a long list of Peruvians who played in Argentine soccer. Not counting legends such as Julio Meléndez, Franco Navarro, José Soriano, Percy Rojos and others who were very successful in football in the neighboring country, this is a recount of the most outstanding steps of our compatriots in the last 25 years with gaucho clubs.

Nolbert Solano

It is impossible not to mention Nolbert Solano in the most prodigious list of Peruvians in Argentine football. After being one of the protagonists of the three-time championship with Sporting Cristal (1994-1996) and the runner-up in the Copa Libertadores (1997), ‘Ñol’ packed Boca Juniors with only 22 years and the rest is history.

The ‘Maestrito’, as his then teammate Diego Armando Maradona nicknamed him for his great class when hitting the ball, only played one year at the xeneize club (from August 1997 to August 1998), but that time was enough to become a name in Argentina.

In fact, at the end of that 1997 season, Solano was chosen as the second best foreign soccer player in the Argentine league, only behind Chilean Marcelo Salas, who was a figure for River Plate. By continuing to stand out constantly in Boca, ‘Ñol’ was hired by none other than Newcastle and became the first Peruvian to play in England.

The ‘Chinese’ Pereda

After having become national champion three times with Universitario, José Pereda ventured into Boca Juniors starting in 1998. The ‘Chino’ stayed three years at the xeneize club, having played 72 games under the command of none other than Carlos Bianchi .

The Peruvian midfielder was one of the pillars of that great era of the blue and gold team, having won six titles: three national championships, two Copa Libertadores and one Intercontinental Cup. Thanks to those successes, the ‘Chino’ Pereda He came to be considered one of the most emblematic foreigners who passed through Argentine football.

John Jayo

We must also remember the great John Jayo. The ‘Pulpito’, as he was known, achieved his first national championship with Alianza Lima in 1997 and continued on the same path the following year, being the best in his position. This allowed him to emigrate to Argentina in 1999: Unión de Santa Fe opened the doors for him.

His time with the ‘Rojiblancos’ was quite positive. He played 61 games and scored a goal, or rather, a great goal. In addition to his outstanding performances in Argentine football, Jayo is remembered for the spectacular goal he scored against River Plate at the Monumental, hitting the ball almost from midfield. A work of art. After two and a half years, Unión de Santa Fe wanted to retain him in their squad, but the Peruvian midfielder had interesting offers from Spain and did not reject them.

John Manuel Vargas

Like Solano John Manuel Vargas He arrived at Argentine soccer very young. After establishing himself at Universitario de Deportes, “Loco” arrived at Atlético Colón at the beginning of 2005, when he was 21 years old.

With the ‘Sabaleros’, Vargas played 54 games and scored four goals in a year and a half. Without a doubt, one of the most remembered goals of the Peruvian winger in Argentine football was after a great execution of a free kick with his powerful left foot against Boca Juniors. That passage through the Colón served ‘Loco’ as a springboard to reach Europe.

John Comminges

After having stood out with Universitario and Sporting Cristal in his youth, Juanchi He packed his bags abroad at the age of 21. Together with Juan Manuel Vargas, Cominges ended up at Atlético Colón to start his adventure in Argentine lands. Although some injuries complicated his time with the ‘Sabaleros’, he managed to shine in midfield with his great quality, even being compared to Enzo Francescoli by the Argentine press.

Thus, in 2006 he signed a contract with Estudiantes de La Plata, directed by none other than Diego Simeone. With the ‘Pincha’, Juanchi was also accompanied by some injuries, but that did not prevent him from celebrating two goals in 26 matches played, in addition to joining the list of Peruvians who won in Argentina, lifting the Apertura Tournament trophy that year .

‘Malingas’ Jimenez

Robert Jimenez is another Peruvian who left his mark in Argentina. In his first years as a professional, the popular ‘Malingas’ stood out with a great scoring quota in Alianza Atlético de Sullana and that opened the doors of the gaucho country for him: San Lorenzo was the first club that welcomed him (in July 2006).

With ‘Ciclón’, Jiménez scored nine goals in 30 games played, thus helping his club win the Clausura Tournament in 2007. That same year, ‘Malingas’ once again gave the cry of champion, but with another team: Lanús.

Although he did not play much in the ‘Granate’ shirt, the Peruvian striker scored a key goal in an agonizing victory over Estudiantes (1-0), which allowed his team to continue in the fight for the title and finally lift the trophy of the Opening Tournament. It is worth mentioning that Jiménez also played for Godoy Cruz in 2009.

Rinaldo Cruz

He had already moved his football to Switzerland, Italy and even Iran, but Rinaldo Cruz I wanted a foreign experience in South America. Thus, at the beginning of 2013, the Peruvian midfielder left Chievo Verona to venture into Newell’s Old Boys, a club in which he only stayed one year.

In that time, Rinaldo played 27 games with the ‘lepers’, recorded four goals and won a very special trophy for his career, the 2013 Argentine First Division. “It was something unique. I have been lucky enough to be champion abroad, but the title that I got to experience with Newell’s was spectacular. Above all because of the experiences and how that team was formed”‘Ri’ recalled in a past interview with ESPN FC.

Miguel Araujo

Already entering the most current era, it is necessary to highlight the name of Miguel Araujo. After having been a national champion with Alianza Lima and being a World Cup player with the Peruvian national team, the promising central defender signed for Talleres de Córdoba on loan and, although he only stayed for a year, managed to have good performances with the ‘T’ during that time.

Unfortunately, the Argentine club did not use the purchase option and Miguel Araujo, who played 23 games with the Talleres shirt, ended up joining FC Emmen in the Netherlands, where he is currently a member.

louis abram

In Argentina, louis abram he left the name of Peru high up. After having been a protagonist in two national championships with Sporting Cristal, in addition to being a national team player, the young defender signed for Vélez Sarsfield at the beginning of 2018 and had a great step.

Luis Abram stayed four seasons in the Liniers team, playing a total of 95 games and registering four goals. Although he was unable to lift any trophy with Vélez, the Peruvian always stood out individually on the field, becoming the best left-handed central defender in the Argentine Super League in 2019, in addition to obtaining other recognitions. In fact, this successful step allowed him to reach the highest level in Europe, wearing the shirt of Granada in Spain, although he did not consolidate himself and today he is one of the pillars of Cruz Azul in Mexico.

Carlos Zambrano

The ‘Kaiser’ put an end to his European adventure to join Boca Juniors in 2020. His pace, until now, is relatively irregular. It happens that Zambrano is constantly criticized by the xeneize environment, despite the fact that he has sometimes shown his great capacity. That yes, lately he is being valued more, although he has not yet managed to consolidate himself as a starter in the team.

This does not tarnish its success. The Peruvian defender has already lifted four local titles and also won a friendly tournament against Barcelona, ​​the Maradona Cup. So far, he has played 45 games with the blue and gold team and has scored two goals, one of them in a Superclásico against River Plate.

Luis Advincula

In July 2021, Luis Advíncula left Rayo Vallecano to wear the colors of Boca Juniors on his body. Unlike Zambrano, ‘Luchito’ has managed to establish himself quickly in the team and, today, his presence is indisputable on the right wing.

His time in Argentina is being quite good in this year that has passed. ‘Bolt’ has already played 38 games and has scored a goal. In addition, he has won the Copa Argentina, the League Cup and the Maradona Cup, three valuable titles for him, since they are the first he has won abroad.