Christian Ramos: “Yes, I am very close to Alianza Lima … Both parties want it to happen” | INTERVIEW

In the last days, Christian Ramos he has wanted to get away from any kind of shock. The defender of the selection went to the north of the country, where the priority was to get away from the noisy rumors about his future. On the way back, it’s time for definitions. As a good defender, Ramos anticipates and announces that the negotiation with Alliance Lima is very close to being resolved.

—Is it very strange to move the Peruvian soccer calendar like this? Your holidays have been in December and no longer in January.

Yes, we used to have holidays at the end of December. This new calendar is strange, now everything has moved very fast on the issue of the World Cup, on the issue of Covid. We have to face everything in the best way. There are League 1 teams that are already beginning to train and that is good, especially to reach a decisive date of the Playoffs in optimal condition. They tell me that the MLS are going to train in Videna and that will be the key to arriving with rhythm.

“Could it be said that you are getting closer to Alianza?”

Yes, I am very close to Alianza Lima. It is already discussed. I imagine that in the next few days I will give more details. We both want it to happen.

“Did they make offers to you from abroad?”

I’ve already been through these situations. Offers and proposals of supposed equipment always arrive. In the end it doesn’t happen, that’s why I don’t pay much attention, because they don’t come up with something formal.

– The most formal thing for you has been the one of Alianza?

In the last two weeks, Alianza Lima has been the most formal after I told Chemo that I was not going to continue in Vallejo. Also, the ‘U’ thing fell off.

-What happened with University?

If there was interest, I spoke with Professor Gregorio Pérez, he told me that he wanted to count on me. Then we saw the economic issue and everything was on hold. In addition, there was a lot of talk about why he went to the stadium in the final, until the issue was closed and he left it there. It is a closed topic, although I thank the ‘teacher’ for wanting to count on me.

“Do you think he is exaggerating with that of the footballers’ fans?”

There is a lot of exaggeration on the subject of bloat. If you defend a club you have to do it in the best way. I played for the big three of Peru and I always wanted to beat the rivals. And it will always be like that, one can be a fan of any club, watch the game that you like and should not exaggerate with that.

—And if at the conference they made you say “And give it U”?

It is that that is the subject, that already they do it by wanting to sell something to him to the fans and I believe that it does not have to be thus. What matters is that the footballer performs well and kills himself for his club. That should be enough.

—Jefferson Farfán has already opened the doors of Alianza publicly …

I take it in the best way. Jefferson is a reference and idol of the club. Welcoming me is the best, that gives confidence to know how the squad and the fans are going to receive you.

“What do you think was the breaking point for you to return to the national team?”

For me it was the season I had with Vallejo. He had continuity, I think he was playing well, Vallejo has a good game proposal. That is why I am very grateful to the club, to Chemo, because they helped me a lot. The team was pretty solid, even though we didn’t make it to the Libertadores. All that was key to return. My return was gradual, they called me first, but without playing. I killed myself to get on the list. My face never changed, neither as a substitute nor as a starter.

“Did you find many changes in the squad when you came back?”

They are two very similar teams, the base of the previous Round was maintained, with a few new players who have done quite well and have been well received, we are all a family. I did not find differences with the previous process.

– What was the criticism that hurt you the most in the last time?

I feel that sometimes the criticisms are very harsh. It is true that we were not well and that we were losing often. We did not lift. But this group has shown that in adversity it grows stronger. I accept all the criticisms, but the one that bothered me the most was when they said that I had to step aside because I am 32 years old or that they say that because I am in the local league, my cycle has passed. Why do they say that? I feel current, and being in League 1 should not be decisive, there are many players from the local tournament who are in the national team today. Today times have changed, age should not be a factor.

—And this criticizing age, do you think it has also been excessive with Farfán and Guerrero?

Obviously yes, you cannot invite to retirement players who have made you dream, have given you a World Cup, have given you titles. You can’t do that, it’s disrespectful. Jefferson is now a replacement in the Alliance that when he enters is decisive and has collaborated a lot for them to win this championship. And Paolo still maintains the scoring instinct, we cannot withdraw players with that experience and hierarchy.

“Have you noticed that they were both greatly affected by the anticipation of their retreats?”

Sure it’s uncomfortable. I see them train and they are “animals.” Enter the playing field and they are “animals.” Besides on the field of play, both generate a lot of respect. I’ve seen all that. Rivals respect and admire them a lot.

– Do you think both have some kind of prominence in the last part of the Qualifiers?

Yes, I see them both being part of us, in the field or accompanying us. They will be there, I see all the effort that Paolo makes to reach these final dates and Jefferson goes without saying.

—Why do you think so many center-back pairs have alternated in the last half?

In the last Playoffs, defenders also moved. And in the end Professor Gareca stayed with Alberto and me. That couple no longer moved, then the two of us stopped being called. That is why the new search for power plants was started. Now Callens and I are playing, and that doesn’t guarantee we’ll be in every game either. I kill myself to continue being and take advantage of the opportunity. There is a lot of competition.

—Alberto Rodríguez was your best companion in the national team?

Yes, it could be said. With Markarián, Alberto was a starter and I came in sometimes, I didn’t always play. We began to share several games, especially in the 2011 Copa América. With Gareca we were a more stable duo. We have always communicated well, we have always respected each other a lot, that’s why it worked well.

“How do you analyze the Alexander Callens case?” Gareca called him continuously, but we have only just seen him alternating in the Copa América 2021.

Alexander always killed himself in training. He never lowered his arms and was very constant. When given the opportunity, he did not miss it. Note that in his club New York City he was always a starter. He did not have much prominence because he has only now reached a final in the MLS, but he always played there. Now he has made the leap, I see him more of a protagonist in his club. I’m very happy for him, because he has worked so hard to achieve this.

– Do you think that the position of defender is the one that has more relief in the Peruvian team?

Yes, we are like seven or eight selection centers, when before we had two or three. That is why some accept to play sidelines and that is why we all know that no one can be trusted. It is a very healthy competition and we have centrals for a while. It is a pity that in other positions we do not have so much replacement. That does worry.

—You do feel that you have rope for a while …

Of course I feel like this, until the legs give me and I know when this is over. I would always like to be in the national team, but that doesn’t depend on me either.

– The results with selection affect a lot in the emotional part when they return to their clubs?

Of course it has repercussions, in the selection you spend little time, especially if you come from abroad. The spirit is vital, the work of the psychologists and coachings in the selection is very good. Especially because they helped us a lot when we went through the most complicated situations.

“Will you join the selection work in the fortnight of December?”

Yes, they have already told us that those from MLS are coming, and probably those from local soccer as well. Next week a group starts training and that’s good, we can’t waste time, the days are going by pretty fast.

“Will you be in the friendlies in January?”

Yes, it will most likely be as planned. I am ready to face this start of the season with my club and with the national team.