Panama scored a historic penalty shootout win over USA in the 2023 Gold Cup semi-finals. On North American soil, the Panamanian team was superior in several parts of the game: two goals were disallowed and they did not receive a penalty, but they prevailed against the odds and eliminated the hosts to reach the final after 10 years. Panama vs. Mexico is now arousing great expectations among fans and in Peruvian football we recognize the presence of Alberto Quintero j Jose Fajardo.
It is not common for foreign players to go through Peruvian football currently playing in their country’s national team, much less for them to start and play a final of an official tournament. Both “Chiquitín” Quintero and Fajardo started against the United States in the semifinals and both – especially Cienciano’s winger – are on a good run for the Canaleros.
YOU CAN SEE: He started in first grade at 13, retired at 29, and now has a hair salon
Alberto Quintero, the Panamanian with more than 100 caps in Peruvian football
Alberto Quintero is such an old football acquaintance in our country that he acquired Peruvian citizenship last year to avoid taking a foreign place in League 1. “Chiquitín” came to Peru in 2017 to play for the Universitario de Deportes. In his first game at the Monumental, the Panamanian put on a great game, scoring a goal in an unforgettable 3-0 win over Alianza Lima on Matchday 9 of the summer tournament.
Since then, Quintero has established himself – with ups and downs, but especially ups – as a regular at Universitario for six seasons in a row. Precisely in 2017 he had one of his best years in which he scored 13 goals, was the figure of the team and performed very well under the leadership of Pedro Troglio. His ability to play one-on-one and handling both profiles well are aspects that have always shaped his game.
Alberto Quintero has met the Peru team more than once. Photo: GLR archives
YOU CAN SEE: Who is the youngest player in Peruvian football and how old is he?
At the end of 2022, Alberto Quintero belonged to the group of U-players who would not continue this season. This is how the Panamanian signed for Cienciano, a team where he is also the undisputed regular. So far this year, “Chiquitín” has played practically every attacking position and even wore the captain’s belt. One of his great postcards of the year was a great goal from a cue he scored in the opening against ADT.
José Fajardo: from League 2 to the Gold Cup Final
José Fajardo is much younger and has not completed a quarter of Quintero’s 131 appearances with the Panama team, but he has also managed to make his mark on Peruvian football. The 29-year-old forward arrived in Peru in 2022 as a new reinforcement for Cusco FC. Unfortunately, although he came with the intention of playing in League 1, he was forced to play in League 2 due to the club’s relegation in the table.
José Fajardo and Abdiel Ayarza continue to play together for Cusco FC and have also played for the Panamanian national team. Photo: Cusco FC
Despite this, Fajardo remained at the club and, along with other players such as his compatriot Abdiel Ayarza and Felipe Rodríguez, aimed to return to first place on the field. The Panamanian had no trouble becoming not only the top scorer in Cusco, but also the top scorer in the entire league: he scored 14 goals in 20 games, the same record as Argentina’s Matías Sen. “La Pantera” even managed to to score in the 4-1 win against Unión Comercio on matchday four of the Clausura.
To pay tribute to his great season, he (14) and Ayarza (12) scored more than half of the team’s goals. Aside from his notable quadruple goal against Comercio, Fajardo has scored consecutive goals in the last five games he has played in the league. He was the key to promotion and remains the undisputed starter in League 1 to this day. In that Gold Cup, he scored in the group stage against Costa Rica and Martinique.