Farfán, Peredo’s favorite retires

in full Qatar 2022 I know announces the retirement of a Peruvian World Cup player. The one who qualified us for Russia 2018. The one who made a career in Europe. The one who returned to his Alliance to be champion. RPP ensures that Jefferson Farfan withdraws. He leaves as a two-time champion.

Focusing only on this century, we are perhaps talking about the best Peruvian player. Daniel Peredo said that of Markarián’s Fantastic 4, Farfán was his favorite, the most complete. Of course, he had the technique of a 10, the speed of a wing and the resolving capacity of a 9. He could play as Pizarro if he had to accompany the forward, as Vargas if he had to go to the edges and also as Paolo if he had to kill in the area.

He was a gazelle with a goal only harmed by unfortunate injuries and sanctions for conduct that was never a monk’s. In this sense, a footballer who flirted with the “ball player”, who dribbles jackals and who makes his bunker a VIP party, is also leaving. A symbol of the Peruvian player even in that.

Viewed and rethought, Farfán ended up being a national team player rather than a club player. A skinny starter in Chalaca Gonzales’ Sub 17 in 2001, he grew in musculature, power and resources for almost 20 years after being the replacement for Gareca who made possible the goal that opened the World Cup qualification after 36 years. A historic change of 27 goals in 97 games that made possible another phrase by Peredo about him: “he is one of the few current ones that would have a place in the great team of 81”.

Part of the prolific 84 generation, he was -more than a partner- a brother to Paolo. In that tour after his goal against New Zealand, Farfán celebrated with the sanctioned Guerrero’s 9 sweater, in a tribute that, moreover, was justly moving. An exhausted Farfán after horrible qualifying rounds and lost times for the FPF finally smiled lying on the floor. And with him, all of us.

If you want to evoke it, go to YouTube and see how Peredo recounts his goal. And how he pays homage to Jefferson Agustín Farfán Guadalupe, “for his mamacita”. If you don’t tear, you’re not Peruvian.

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