“If Valera achieves symbolic victories, the ‘U’ fan will forgive and reconsider his position in the cream santoral” | OPINION

The fan is, above all, a sentimental subject. Approaching it from reason, logic or even pragmatism prevents it from being fully understood. From time to time those emotions are put to the test and are capable of the finest nobility and the most brutal indignation. And sometimes the distance between erecting a statue and tearing it down is shorter than we think.

Peruvian soccer has offered many examples in recent years: the fan of Lima Alliance he loves Jefferson Farfán more than Paolo Guerrero just because the former returned to Matute; In his balance, it does not seem to matter so much the physical state or the possible economic damage that Jeffrey’s last season in La Victoria meant. At the same time, the cream fan never looked at Chemo Del Solar the same way again since he directed Crystalas the heavenly end never forgave solano to play for the U in 2009. Loyalty is a rare species and is at odds with professionalism. alex valera is finding out.

As is recalled, last year the national team striker left Ate in the middle of the season, which put the team in a complex position with few solution options. The man from Chiclayo can argue that his departure brought money to a team that desperately needs it, but it is just as true that you don’t get a goalscorer from one day to the next and the void he left was difficult for him to fill. succar, his only skillful replacement. Worse still, given the refusal of the leadership to give up their file Valera he forced his exit with inelegant tools: unilateral decisions, public messages and a pressure strategy that led him to achieve his goal, but at the cost of a soap opera that left the fan furious and resentful.

His return, after missing a decisive penalty against Australia and enduring a rough and unhappy time in Arab football, builds a familiar narrative: that of the prodigal son. And in turn, Valera he needs the U: at 27 years of age, in full sporting maturity, he cannot waste his peak performance without an institution in which he shows himself and supports him, especially if he wants to continue being an option for reynoso and emigrate. Hunger and need come together.

But will it be enough for the fan? History indicates yes. For better or for worse, the first goal cry usually has an amnesic effect regarding past slights and makes it possible to forget and excuse everything. In case of Andy Pole try it too. Yes Valera manages to integrate into the squad, if he recovers his aim, if he makes his aerial game prevail, if he achieves symbolic and real victories, the fan will forgive and reconsider his position in the cream saints. It will not be an easy road at first. Or maybe yes. But the exceptionality of soccer consists of that, precisely: in building space so that affections take precedence over the rest, even if it is for 90 minutes.