Overview
- Peña told local media on Oct. 12 that he returned to Alianza Lima because he is a lifelong supporter and wants to help the team improve.
- Ricardo Gareca, now coaching Chile, had criticized the wave of Peru internationals returning home, saying many in their 30s could have continued abroad.
- Gareca made the remarks in an interview with the program Pase Filtrado, highlighting what he views as a drop in Peruvians competing overseas.
- Peña stressed he respects Gareca’s opinion and acknowledged the coach’s past contributions to the national team despite defending his own decision.
- Recent returnees to Peru’s Liga 1 include Luis Abram, Anderson Santamaría, Miguel Araujo, Pedro Aquino, Carlos Zambrano and Yoshimar Yotún at clubs such as Alianza Lima, Universitario and Sporting Cristal.