As is recalled, Claudio Pizarro was not chosen by Ricardo Gareca to face the 2018 World Cup with the Peruvian National Team, instead of the 'Bombardero de los Andes', Raúl Ruidíaz, Paolo Guerrero, and Jefferson Farfán were the chosen center forwards for the historic return of the blanquirroja to the World Cup.
YOU CAN SEE: Claudio Pizarro: remembers the day he chose Alianza over Bayern Munich
This decision was widely commented in the sports field. On the one hand, there were those who argued that Pizarro should have been present in the call-up, as during those years the historic Bundesliga striker was still active and an important figure on a global scale.
On the other hand, others supported the 'Tiger's decision, as they did not consider Claudio as a key player for the national team that achieved the historic qualification to the World Cup after 36 years of absence.
And now, this topic takes center stage again, but from the point of view of Jorge Luis Pinto, former coach of Alianza Lima and champion with the white and blue team in the 1997 season, who gave an interview to Radio Ovación and questioned the Argentine coach's decision in 2018.
"It was painful for Claudio Pizarro not to have played in a World Cup. I would have taken him and put him in as a substitute in the three matches because in 20 or 30 minutes, he would have been extremely useful", explained the Colombian coach.
"Ricardo Gareca should be recognized for his work in favor of Peruvian football. Hopefully, Juan Reynoso can build a new generation to face the upcoming qualifiers," he added about our soccer.
Teams Jorge Luis Pinto has coached in his career
- Independiente Santa Fe - Colombia
- Atlético Bucaramanga - Colombia
- Unión Magdalena - Colombia
- Deportivo Cali - Colombia
- Alianza Lima - Peru
- Liga Deportiva Alajuelense - Costa Rica
- Atlético Junior - Colombia
- Cúcuta Deportivo - Colombia
- El Nacional - Ecuador
- Deportivo Táchira - Venezuela
- Junior de Barranquilla - Colombia
- Millonarios - Colombia
- Costa Rica National Team
- Colombia National Team
- Honduras National Team
- United Arab Emirates National Team
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