Peruvians abroad: who closed the best in 2021?

A few years ago we counted them on our fingers, today sports TV news programs need time to show everyone’s summaries. Yes, we are talking about Peruvian footballers who are active abroad. Not only are there more and more, but year after year they get more achievements.

On this note, a look at the six that possibly ended 2021 better than the rest. Whether in numbers, performance or titles, these Peruvians deserve a special mention before the end of the year. It should be said that, although we have not considered players like Marcos López, Renato Tapia, Yoshimar Yotún, Raúl Ruidíaz, among others, we recognize that they have also had a great 2021.

Pedro Gallese

There is no doubt that the Alianza Lima exporter made a good decision when he went to the Orlando City of the MLS. He has been the undisputed starter for two consecutive seasons, he has perhaps reached the best level of his career and this 2021 he has been worthy of different recognitions.

In November, Pedro Gallese was nominated by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) to best goalkeeper in the world 2021. All thanks to his good performances in Orlando City and the Peruvian team.

This year he played 23 league games, all as a starter, and was considered in the MLS all-star team along with Raúl Ruidíaz. In the memory there will also be a tweet in which Orlando City says “Pedro is not human” for a great save from the Peruvian.

Alexander Callens

Tremendous 2021 for the defender of the Peruvian team who was crowned MLS champion with New York City and it was him who kicked the decisive penalty for the title. An incredible end to the year for one of the players who has shown the best performance in the Qatar 2022 Qualifiers.

He played 30 league games, 29 as a starter and scored two goals. In May he will turn 30, undoubtedly the best stage of his career. He is impassable in one on one, a fast defender with a great capacity for anticipation and passing game. Alexander Callens is the perfect defense prototype.

Luis Advíncula

The right-back of the Peruvian team left Rayo Vallecano, where he had played 39 games in the 2020/2021 season, for Boca Juniors in August this year. Perhaps at first it was difficult for him to adapt, but later he consolidated in the band, he had great games, he won over the fans and journalism, and ended up being the champion of the Argentine Cup.

In the celebration of the title, he stole the show with his charisma and has already secured a place in the team for 2022. He played 17 games and was only a substitute in one of them. Oh, and he also had the pleasure of defeating Barcelona in the Maradona Cup. There was no shortage of applause for his good plays.

Anderson Santamaria

The defender closed in a great way in 2021 at win the Mexico Apertura Tournament with the Atlas. In his fourth season with the rojinegro team, the central defender established himself as one of the best footballers on the team. Not only did he play 21 games, all of them as a starter, Instead, the club renewed his contract for 4 more years and qualified him as non-transferable.

As if that were not enough, the Editorial Board of the organizers of the Mexican tournament, considered Anderson Santamaría in the ideal eleven of the 2021 Apertura Championship. It is true that in the selection he had some mistakes that cost him the title, but there is no doubt that he closed 2021 in the best way at his club.

Christian Cueva

After the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Christian Cueva couldn’t find a place where he felt really comfortable to show off all his talent. Until this 2021 he signed for Al Fateh of Saudi Arabia and he was once again the decisive footballer that we all know.

This year he has played 24 league games, 20 as a starter, and has scored a total of 11 goals. Not in 2016 in Sao Paulo, one of his best seasons, did he score as many goals as now. While his team needs to improve to get out of the low places of the table, Cueva’s performance is to stand out.

Gianluca Lapadula

The ‘9’ of the Peruvian team is closing 2021 so well that it ensures that it is the best moment of his career. He has 10 goals in 15 games, he is the top scorer in Serie B in Italy and he is on the way to breaking his best season (with Pescara in 2015/2016) in terms of goals.

At 31 years old, Lapadula He is in an impeccable physical condition, he is a much more mature footballer from every point of view and it is clear that the The Peruvian team has liked him very well. He comes from scoring in the last two games against Venezuela and Bolivia and his presence in the four games that remain in 2022 will be key for Gareca’s team.