Ormeño or Santamaría will join the list: the history of the Peruvians who consecrated themselves in Mexico

Being champion abroad is a challenge for Peruvian footballers. The difficulty multiplies since there are few who emigrate and some who achieve continuity. However, in Mexico the exploits of the Peruvians prevail. And, this 2021, in the final of the Opening Tournament of the MX League, a new compatriot will be crowned. Or it will be Santiago Ormeño will be Anderson Santamaria. In any case, the national flag will fly again in Aztec land.

The Atlas de Santamaría fell 1-0 last Sunday against Pumas but, after winning the first leg with the same result, the aggregate score was even (1-1). Thanks to their better position in the table of the regular phase (2nd), the rojinegros qualified for the grand final of the tournament.

In the definition of the title, the Peruvian central’s team will measure forces against none other than the León de Santiago Ormeño, who equalized in the global scoreboard of the semifinals against Tigres (3-3), but was also able to access the final thanks to his best position in the leaderboard.

Thus, together with his team and, in addition, he will join the list of Peruvian players who were consecrated in Mexican lands. This Thursday they will meet in the first leg at León’s home and on Sunday they define with the local Atlas.

The history of the Peruvian champions in Mexico

A large number of Peruvian soccer players have been part of their careers in Mexico throughout history. However, not many have been able to become champions in the Aztec land. The compatriots who won league titles in this country are counted.

It all started with Julio Lores Colán, old glory of Necaxa. Whoever was born in the city of Huaral starred in a spectacular passage through Mexican football, where in those times he had decided to defend the colors of the Peruvian team for the 1930 World Cup, but later there was a section in which the ‘Blanquirroja’ did not play or qualifying and It was there when the soccer player decided to become a Mexican national to play with ‘Tri’.

We cannot forget the great Julio AyllónAfter starting his career in the country, he later traveled to Mexico to shine in clubs such as Moctezuma de Orizaba, Veracruz, León and Tampico. He was even scoring champion in 1949 after celebrating 30 goals with the ‘Red Sharks’.

In the same period, Eugenio Arenaza He also starred in great moments in Aztec soccer. The Chalaco goalkeeper wrote his name on the glorious pages of the Lion,

The successful history of Peruvians in Mexico continued with Juan Jose Muñante. The Ica winger became an idol of Pumas UNAM, where he played for five years and

Geronimo Barbadillo is another great example to follow. Who is known as ‘Patrulla’ played seven years in Mexico, wearing the colors of none other than Tigres. In Aztec land he established himself as a great foreign figure, having been one of the pillars for the Nuevo León team to raise its first

After the great mark he left on the ‘Felinos’, Gerónimo Barbadillo appears with great pride in the club’s historic eleven, in addition to that his number ‘7’ was withdrawn as a symbol of gratitude.

In the last title that ‘Patrulla’ celebrated with Tigres, he was not the only Peruvian who was part of that champion squad. Pedro Chinchay, who is fondly remembered at Sporting Cristal, played two seasons for the Mexican club and lifted the 1982 trophy.

Already in the 80’s, the extraordinary figure of Julio Cesar Uribe emerged in Aztec soccer. The

In the 90 ′ the protagonist was Juan Reynoso. The ‘Cabezón’ was the captain and great reference of Cruz Azul, which. His great performances allowed him to be considered the best central defender in Mexican soccer at that time.

It took 23 years for the ‘Machine’ to be champion of the MX League again and it was nothing less than the hand of Reynoso. Now in his stage as a coach, the Peruvian returned the glory to Cruz Azul

Last but not least, Pedro Aquino he also managed to sit on the throne. The defensive midfielder arrived in Mexico in mid-2017 to wear the Lobos BUAP shirt, although it was with León that he was awarded champion.

. Now he is consolidated in America, a club where he hopes to expand his record in the coming seasons.

After the consecration of Reynoso and Yotún with Cruz Azul, another Peruvian will lift the Mexican league trophy for the third time in a row. Santiago Ormeño and Anderson Santamaría will fight for glory and both are aware that it will not be easy. Whatever happens, there will be a Peruvian celebration.