Nolberto Solano: “What Paolo Guerrero needs is to think about the Peruvian team and play soon” | César Vallejo | League 1 I bet you | L1TA | Game-Total

Interview: “Peru finally won with the arrival of Paulo. “Criminals are not going to set the agenda for us”

Has your life changed since being inducted into the Newcastle Hall of Fame? Do you value your heritage as a footballer more?

I've always taken things very seriously. Fame has never made me faint. But to get this tribute, it's really nice to have people recognize me even though it's been years since I stopped playing at Newcastle. Today, my kids sometimes see some of my goals on social media or YouTube, and I don't remember it. It's the most nostalgic and happy for me of anything I've ever experienced. I didn't win titles in Europe, but I'm proud of the career I did and I respect it now.

-Do you think you are worthless?

I don't want to sacrifice myself. But in our country, anyone who stops playing football is quickly forgotten by people, sometimes even by clubs. They wait until someone is dead or in a very bad condition. And that's not the case. I admire countries that respect their players and coaches. That's important. Sometimes there is tension about what we should have done to get more opportunities.

-Living in England and being one of Newcastle's idols, would the door open for you to work at the club?

I am ready wherever I can be given an opportunity. Being a coach is not easy. Yes, I spoke to the club, my former team-mate Steve Harper is the director of all minors. Maybe I can work there until what I'm looking for happens. But for now we have to wait.

-As a note in the club, have you ever been asked to recommend a Peruvian?

Rather than recommending or not, it is important to talk about unemployment among minors in Peru. We need to add more strength to that aspect so that the boys reach the professional level with all the clear concepts and what is needed to advance their career as a professional. But as long as there are these pits, these voids, it's very complicated. Also, be careful, this is a mission for clubs. From all clubs, not just Alianza, Cristal and Universitario. Peruvian football cannot depend only on them, but all the clubs in the professional league must work in the minors, so that football expands in our country. There are kids from the province in particular who are lost because they don't see a future at a club in their region. So I feel the talent is there, but I have to give it a chance.

-Until 2010, Peru had Solano in England; Pizarro, Guerrero and Farfan in Germany, Vargas in Italy… Why didn't it happen today? Why are we going backwards when other countries are moving forward?

Peru was the birthplace of natural talent as we are used to or believe. But the time has come to help this skill. And I think infrastructure is very important there. I'll give you an example: Alianza Lima recently turned 123, a club I love and I thank them because they gave me the opportunity to play football from 11 to 16 before going to Crystal. It seems that they are trying to create a high performance center. It speaks to where we are and where we are. If clubs don't have the infrastructure to nurture kids and learn decently, unfortunately, we'll be talking about this for years to come.

-Are unions the only problem?

Ambiguous. There should be requests. The Peruvian Football Federation should do that. Let's be positive that one day we will see those changes.

-There was a lot of talk about the restructuring plan of Peruvian football during the Garega era. What prevented this from happening?

We must live realistically. Why are natural alternatives being used in other countries? Because clubs have ambitions. They sold me to Boca Juniors in 1997 for almost a million dollars. Almost 30 years passed and Piero Guispe went to Mexico with two million dollars or a little more. It can never be done. Almost three decades have passed. In this context, Ricardo Gareca arrived in Peru with a mission: to get the senior team results. Then, it was neither his job nor the national team coaches' job to restructure Peruvian football. As I told you, the demands on the FPF side and the ambition of the clubs to invest long-term with the dream of selling their quarries.

-Today, Alianza, Cristal and 'U' are almost all foreigners in the lead. Are you worried about that scenario?

That is the reality of our football. Recruits are either outside forwards or centre-backs. It's not the foreigner's fault, but clubs should also start making efforts to train players and give them opportunities. Allianz should worry about making '9' because they haven't done it in a long time.

-The Peruvian team has a new head: Jorge Fossati. Did you get a chance to return to Videna with the Uruguay coach?

No. But, anyway, it's our choice and we should always want the best. When I listen to the professor, I notice a lot of experience in him, years of playing football have given him that wisdom. Now he has the chance to get the boys in those two friendlies in March, two more in June and the Copa America. I think he can express there what he wants for this team.

-Is Fossati the best man to get us out of the hole we're in?

I listen to Fossati and he's one of those typical seasoned technicians who plays with great confidence and a keen sense of all the details. But your question will be answered with the results the team gets. At this time I feel a calm, confident atmosphere, very good for children. We hope it goes well for you.

It's hard not to ask you about Ricardo Gareca. Like the fan, do you consider it a betrayal that he is the Chile coach?

It's a very strong word. We should be grateful to him as he has given us so much joy in recent years. He has a lot of love for the Peru fans, for the country, but he is still a professional. I think it's better not to mention that word because it's too strong. We know about the rivalry with Chile, but it's nothing but football.

-Did you get a chance to go to Chile with Carega?

We talk a little bit with Ricardo. There is still friendship and we congratulate each other on important moments. When it came to Chile, I realized that it was difficult to take me because I wanted to have Chile as an assistant and to be close to the players. Can you imagine if Gareca worked with Marcelo Salas here? Difficult, if not impossible. But even after all is well, the friendship continues. I always wish him the best, even when he's not playing against us.

Garega's Copa America first match in Chile against Peru…

Yes, fate matters. There he would meet many of his children. I think it was a good meeting.

One of his children, Christian Cueva, is yet to undergo surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his knee, an injury he has sustained since March last year. Do you think Christian can still return to the national team?

He now has to operate on that injury and restore that knee because it's his work tool. Then, if he wants to keep playing, let him play. He's 32 and doesn't have a kid to tell him what to do. He is the only person who knows what to do and what not to do and will repeat what a great player he is. You can't end your career like this.

-Paolo Guerrero, 40 years old, and recently joined a club (Cesar Vallejo) is an option in the Peruvian team?

When you get to this age in football, working against us stops without football rhythm. I think his last game was in mid-December. It's been over two months now. All Paolo needs is to think about the national team and play soon. You need to speed up.

Could Luis Advincula, who starts this Sunday's Classic against River Plate, be considered a reference at Boca Juniors?

His game had a rough start, criticism of his game but time fixed things as he is a great player. I think all Peruvians will be proud that he is doing so well and leaving the country's name in style. Looking to the future, thanks to him, when Boca needs a full-back, they will look to us. That is his legacy. Also, he has entered a stage of maturity in which the fan recognizes the dedication, courage and professionalism with which he lives his daily life. Boca is certainly one of the biggest clubs in South America and Advincula will be remembered by the masses, as will Julio Melendez. When I arrived, in 97, Maradona told me about 'Negro' Melendez, whom I never met but you understand what he did.