An international tournament like the Copa Libertadores is always a flagship event for any footballer and this time it proved it Arley Rodriguez. The Colombian forward, remembered by Carlos A. Mannucci and Alianza Lima in Peruvian football, was one of the figures of the Libertadores’ final day after scoring the superb goal in Deportivo Pereira’s win over Boca Juniors. The Grande Matecaña qualified for the continental tournament for the first time and still have a chance of reaching the round of 16.
Arley Rodríguez was a two-time champion with Alianza Lima and played the vast majority of games between 2021 and 2022 despite being mainly a reserve side. The Colombian won over several Blue and White fans with his signature drive, personality and will to play on the pitch. Although he obeyed the team, the club decided not to renew him for another season. What is he currently?
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Arley Rodríguez and his time in Peruvian football
Arley Rodríguez joined Peruvian football in 2020 as a new signing from Carlos A. Mannucci. It was the brand new addition to the Carlist team, given their reputation for winning everything with Atlético Nacional. Rodríguez twice won the Colombian Cup, the Super League and the Apertura at local level, internationally he became champion of the 2016 Copa Libertadores and the 2017 Recopa Sudamericana. Thanks to this, he also took part in a Club World Cup.
Arley made his debut with Mannucci – following the resumption of League 1 due to the pandemic – on October 19 in a 1-0 win over Alianza Universidad. The Colombian showed his qualities and was the team’s figure in their best season in La Liga history. As both a left and right winger, Rodríguez displayed far more skill and technical ability that would surprise the average Alianza Lima fan.
Arley Rodríguez was the best signing and the character of Carlos Mannucci in 2020, the team he qualified with for the Copa Sudamericana. Photo: FPF Press
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With four goals in 22 games and many defections, Arley Rodríguez was announced as a reinforcement for Alianza Lima in 2021. Of course, most fans didn’t know who he was since they hadn’t seen Mannucci’s games. But little by little, the Colombian won the sympathy of many. This year he only played 696 minutes, but played the most games and scored four goals. In 2022 he added more minutes and scored four goals to return to the champions.
What is Arley Rodríguez’s gift?
Arley Rodríguez signed for Deportivo Pereira in 2023, surprise winners of the final tournament in 2022. Unlike his arrival at Alianza Lima, the Colombian started from the start and even made his debut with a goal against Millonarios in the 3-2 defeat on 29 January 2023 for the date 2 of opening. His winning streak continued and he scored consecutively for the next two days.
Deportivo Pereira have used a two-forward system on many occasions, which is why Arley has played more through the center than through the wingers in several games. Curiously, his usual companion at the helm of La Furia Matecaña is no more and no less than Ángelo Rodríguez, his older brother. So far this season, the former Mannucci player has scored six goals and everything indicates that he will continue to improve.
Arley Rodríguez has started for Deportivo Pereira in both the local tournament and the Copa Libertadores. Photo: Soccerred