Portilla, the Peruvian born in Alianza Lima who faced 'CR7' and Messi, but today plays in Copa Peru.

Few Peruvian players can say they faced Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. For example, Juan Manuel Vargas and André Carrillo. However, not many know that in the Copa Perú there is a player who can claim the same achievement: it's Juan Carlos Portilla, who plays for Cultural 13 de Enero, a team that competes in the district league of San Juan de Miraflores. Portilla is a forward who came up through Alianza Lima and in his youth played for the Peruvian national team. There he had the opportunity to face both global superstars.

Many know Juan Carlos Portilla as "Nene". He has played for clubs such as San Martín, Unión Huaral, José Gálvez, Sport Áncash, Atlético Minero, among others. His last professional team was Alianza Universidad, he is now 36 years old and after a short break, he responded to the call of José Mesarina, with whom he shares the team, and Mario 'Ropero' Flores, his coach. Together, they aim to go as far as possible in the Copa Perú.

In this article, Juan Carlos Portilla recalls his career and reveals something that few knew about: his encounters with Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine Messi.

Back in the Copa Perú?

I played Copa Perú in 2017 and 2018 for Alianza Universidad de Huánuco, in 2018 we made it to the top division.

Is it true that you faced Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in youth?

We were in the Peruvian under-15 team with coach Hamada and we went to play a tournament in France, there we faced Italy, England, Portugal, and Cristiano Ronaldo was there. I faced Messi in the South American under-20 championship in 2005, that Argentina team had a lot of stars, Messi, Agüero, Lavezzi, all stars.

How was that duel against Cristiano Ronaldo?

In France, we were young, only 14 years old, we beat Portugal 1-0, Cristiano Ronaldo was already very skilled, he was not very strong, he was skinny but you could tell he was going to stand out.

And the match against Messi...

In the South American under-20 championship, Argentina was on another level, they dominated us, they seemed more mature.

Who gave you the nickname "Nene"?

The nickname "Nene" came about because Alianza Lima loaned me to San Martín when I was 16 years old, I was young, "Cafú" Salazar, "Manzanón" Hernández, they said I was like a little egg, a kid, and it stuck.

What were your happiest moments in football?

I have had several happy moments, like when I made my debut in the top division with San Martín, the trips, and most recently, when we achieved promotion with Alianza Universidad de Huánuco.

Have you spent a long time in Huánuco?

I played in Huánuco for the last six years, last year I was in Lima. I am returning to football this year, but I never fully disconnected.

Do you have any dreams left in football?

I want to see my son play in the top division, he is 12 years old, he is training in an academy near our home, I see some potential in him.

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