Teodoro "Lolo" Fernández is the ultimate idol of Universitario de Deportes. The "Cañonero" earned that distinction because, to this day, he remains the all-time top scorer of the 'U' with 161 goals, for the six national titles and his consecration as the top scorer in seven championships during 23 years devoted body and soul to his beloved team.
For that reason, the cream fans show their reverence and affection through the "La ruta de Lolo" (Lolo's route), an event that was created five years ago to pilgrimage to the place of his birth, in the smaller populated center of Hualcará in San Vicente de Cañete, and in homage to his birthday on May 20th.
Due to the mandatory social isolation caused by the coronavirus, it will be impossible to continue the tradition in person this year. However, for the merengue fans, nothing is impossible and they came up with a unique initiative called "Virtual pilgrimage", which consists of sharing photos and videos related to the birthday of the great Lolo Fernández.
"This 2020 the pilgrimage will have a different theme. "La ruta de Lolo" will be from home. This year is the sixth edition of this project that started in 2015, from that date every third Sunday in May, we go to the town that saw him be born, Hualcará, to pay tribute to his name day," said David Canales, promoter of the cream fan's pilgrimage to RPP.
During his childhood, it was very difficult for 'Lolo' to get a ball, so he and his brothers and the children of the workers on the estate made homemade balls. Every afternoon, they would gather to play soccer in a meadow located next to the chapel of the estate, which over time has become the Plaza. Lolo Fernández, from then on, began to stand out from the others.