Top 10 Interesting Facts about Paolo Guerrero

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Paolo Guerrero

Being a fan of world-class soccer players, I’m thrilled to highlight 10 fascinating facts about Peruvian icon Paolo Guerrero. Though his lethal finishing and fiery passion on the pitch are renowned worldwide, there are captivating details about this prolific striker still waiting to be discovered.

From early struggles to triumphs over adversity, this glimpse illuminates surprising trivia beyond Guerrero’s goal-scoring exploits. We’ll explore the flair and controversy surrounding his journey from the Spanish speaking country prospects to European stardom to World Cup heroics.

This collection unmasks overlooked perspectives on the committed competitor behind the headlines. Join me as we rediscover Paolo Guerrero through a revealing lens that spotlights his humanity, flaws, and enduring impact. 

1. Paolo began his career at Alianza Lima in Peru 

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Guerrero was born in Lima and began his football career in the youth teams of Alianza Lima. Club Alianza Lima, a Peruvian professional sports club based in the La Victoria District of Lima, Peru, was founded as Sport Alianza on February 15, 1901, by working-class youth in the Chacaritas neighborhood of Lima.

Alianza Lima is renowned for having one of the most historical and successful football teams in Peru, with a rich legacy and a prominent place in the country’s football history.

2. Guerrero is a Roman Catholic

Guerrero adheres to Roman Catholicism. The Catholic Church, also recognized as the Roman Catholic Church, stands as the largest Christian denomination, boasting 1.378 billion baptized Catholics globally as of 2021.

This ancient institution holds a significant position in the history and shaping of Western civilization, and Paolo Guerrero aligns himself with its teachings.

3. He is Peru’s all-time leading goalscorer

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Guerrero, with 38 goals in 113 matches for Peru since his debut at the age of 20, is the all-time leading goalscorer for his national team.

Over his international career, he has participated in five Copas América and one World Cup. Guerrero played a crucial role in securing third place for Peru in the 2011 and 2015 Copas América, and led the team to runners-up in 2019 after losing to Brazil.

Impressively, he finished as the top scorer in all three of these tournaments. Additionally, Paolo Guerrero holds the distinction of being the highest-scoring active player in the Copa América.

4. He was top scorer of the 2015 Copa America tournament with 4 goals

 Guerrero was the top scorer of the 2015 Copa America tournament held in Chile  with a total of 4 goals. His goal-scoring prowess played a crucial role in Peru’s journey through the competition.

Guerrero’s stellar performance not only showcased his individual skills but also contributed significantly to the success of the Peruvian national team.

As the top scorer of the tournament, he demonstrated his ability to find the back of the net consistently, earning accolades for his goal-scoring achievements during the 2015 Copa America.

5. Guerrero became Peru’s highest-paid soccer player ever after moving to the Brazilian club Internacional in 2018

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Guerrero became Peru’s highest-paid soccer player after joining the Brazilian club Internacional in 2018.

His move to Internacional marked a significant milestone in his career, not only in terms of financial compensation but also in the recognition of his talent and experience. The substantial contract reflected Guerrero’s value as a top-tier player and his ability to make a meaningful impact on the field.

This transition to Internacional underscored his continued success and solidified his status as one of Peru’s most accomplished and well-compensated footballers in the history of the sport.

6. He was suspended from the 2018 World Cup after testing positive for cocaine, which he claimed was from contaminated tea

Paolo was initially suspended from the 2018 World Cup after testing positive for cocaine. However, he contested the decision, arguing that the substance entered his system unintentionally through contaminated tea.

After a prolonged legal battle and an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Guerrero’s suspension was temporarily lifted, allowing him to participate in the tournament.

The decision to lift the suspension recognized the possibility of inadvertent contamination, and Guerrero played for Peru in the 2018 World Cup, contributing to the team’s efforts on the global stage.

7. Guerrero became the oldest Peruvian player to appear in a FIFA World Cup

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At 34 years and 177 days , Paolo Guerrero was the oldest Peruvian player ever to compete in a FIFA World Cup when he took the field in 2018.

After an initial suspension, Guerrero ultimately participated in the tournament as Peru’s captain and all-time top goalscorer. His presence was historic for Peruvian football despite his age, underscoring both his unwavering talent and dedication to representing Peru.

Guerrero’s World Cup performance capped an accomplished international career and cemented his legacy as an iconic figure in his country’s football history.

8. He led Peru to their first Copa America final in 44 years in 2019

In 2019 Paolo Guerrero led Peru to their first Copa America final in 44 years. As captain of the Peruvian national team, Guerrero was instrumental in guiding them through the tournament to reach the final against Brazil.

Though Peru ultimately lost the final 3-1, Guerrero’s leadership and play throughout the Copa America campaign helped end their long drought without an appearance in the championship match.

Reaching the final was an achievement in itself for Peruvian football after nearly half a century. Guerrero was at the forefront in ending that long wait and restoring Peru as a force in South American football.

9. Guerrero has a fear of flying

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Paolo has a reported fear of flying. Multiple media outlets have stated that Guerrero’s aviophobia stems from a traumatic event in his family’s past – the 1987 Alianza Lima air disaster that killed his uncle José González Ganoza.

The plane crash that took the lives of numerous Alianza players, coaches and staff continues to haunt Guerrero years later. His uncle’s death in that aviation tragedy during Guerrero’s childhood is credibly cited as the origin of his phobia.

Guerrero’s fear of flying has been an ongoing challenge during his career, traceable to the traumatic loss of his uncle in the infamous 1987 plane crash.

10. He was named Peru’s Footballer of the Year a record 8 times between 2004-2018

He was named Peru’s Footballer of the Year a record 8 times between 2004 and 2018. Guerrero received the prestigious honor for an unprecedented 8 editions of the award, dominating the accolade during his career.

His consistent excellence propelled him to be recognized as the best footballer in Peru for nearly a decade and a half. Winning 8 Footballer of the Year titles surpassed any other Peruvian player.

Guerrero’s phenomenal talent cemented his status as an iconic sports figure in his country, as evidenced by his unsurpassed number of Peru Footballer of the Year awards from 2004 to 2018.

The interesting facts presented cast Paolo Guerrero in a new light, going beyond his lethal finishing and passion on the soccer pitch. From early struggles to World Cup heroics, these surprising details provide unexpected perspectives on the Peruvian icon.

By illuminating overlooked aspects of Guerrero’s journey, flair, and controversies, this glimpse reveals compelling truths about the committed competitor behind the headlines.

For loyal fans and casual observers alike, these insights exceed the expected narrative to spotlight the flaws, triumphs, and enduring impact of a world-class yet supremely human athlete.