Alfredo Morales, the Peruvian who wanted Markarián for the national team and who now celebrates the MLS title with Callens

He is no longer the young man who sounded to see the Blanquirroja, today he is a player with a journey that supports New York City. If deep down, the painting of the Big Apple has a Alexander Callens,

Morales is an all-rounder in the midfield and is one of the figures of New York City. However, in the penalty shootout against the Portland Timbers, he almost became the villain by missing his shot. However, goalkeeper Sean Johnson managed to save two shots and Alexander Callens scored the final one for them to shout: “champions-“.

His story

Alfredo Morales has three nationalities. The Peruvian and American for her father (Peruvian by birth) and the German for her mother. For this reason, in 2011, Sergio Markarián, then coach of the Peruvian team, became interested in being able to summon him for the Bicolor.

At just 21 years old, Alfredo Morales played for Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga and Markarián himself publicly expressed that he hoped to have the midfielder. “The idea is to broaden the spectrum of Peruvian players who play in competitive foreign leagues”, said the strategist, who even planned to travel to Germany to meet in person with Morales.

However, by the end of that year, there were no responses from the footballer, declared Markarián in November of that 2011.

The answer came from the United States. Jürguen Klinsmann, coach of the US national team, announced that same month, November 2011, that Morales had chosen to play for that country. “He could play in both Peru, Germany and the United States, but he has decided to join us. He has been in our plans for a long time and will play alongside our Olympic team”, Declared the German coach, who summoned him for the friendlies against France and Slovenia, but the midfielder did not make his debut.

However, it was only in 2013 that he was able to wear the United States jersey. On January 13 he made his debut in a friendly against Canada (0-0), in which he entered in the 74th minute. In total, according to the record of the North American team, Morales has played 17 games with that team.

Alfredo Morales even had a chance to face Peru. In 2015, he was called up by Klinsmann for the friendly against Peru, which was already led by Ricardo Gareca. However, for that duel, the midfielder did not enter the duel played in Washington that the locals won 2-1.

Morales practically made his career in Germany. He played for Hertha Berlin (2008-2013), then went to Ingolstadt where he achieved promotion to the Bundesliga, but lasted two seasons in the top flight (2015-2017). In 2018 he went to Fortuna Dusseldorf First, but dropped last season.

Thus, in April of this year, New York City announced his arrival with a contract until 2023 with an option for 2024. The American finally managed to play in the League of the country he represents. “I am very grateful to be here and it is a great step for me as a player. It was always my dream to come to MLS as an American, live here and do what I love ”, stated upon arrival.

Now he celebrates the MLS title. He missed his penalty, but in this team game, the good aim of his teammates, among them Callens, and the hands of goalkeeper Johnson, saved the day.