He Peruvian soccer and his collection of stories, ranging from the unusual to the odd, is always a reason to go back a few years and review some “gems” of the local tournament. The “outstanding” debut of a young man Fernando Rafael García Lopez On May 19, 2001, just 13 years and 310 days old, she was one of those who shaped the media pattern of the time. The Pimentel-born striker, known as “Pizarrito” for his resemblance to Claudio Pizarro, was the protagonist of a sort of viral play for the time.
Fernando “Pizarrito” García was the youngest soccer player to make his debut in the first division of Peruvian soccer, in the match between Juan Aurich and Estudiantes de Medicina on day 15 of the 2001 Apertura tournament. At a much earlier age than usual people start to talk about the birth of a promise. However, Garcia’s case had little to do with it.
YOU CAN SEE: Who is the oldest player in Peruvian football and how old is he?
How was Fernando “Pizarrito” García’s debut at the age of 13?
According to “Pizarrito” himself to Infobae, he played that day because the team needed to field an U20 player and the other three were unavailable for various reasons. However, the context and external circumstances of this duel, which was not the most popular of all on paper, meant that García’s untimely debut gave the impression of obedience intentions transcending football itself.
A DeChalaca report on the game between Aurich and Medical Students gives very odd details about what was “at stake” that day. Fernando García was not a well-known football player, apart from being part of Óscar Hamada’s Peru U-15 team at the time. The ‘Ciclón’ coach who gave him his debut in football was the eccentric and now deceased Medardo Arce, who has a reputation for being a very special figure in his life.
On the day of his debut, Fernando “Pizarrito” García played alongside Pedro Ascoy as a forward. Photo: The Northern Cyclone
YOU CAN SEE: Gerardo Gordillo: From the history writer at UTC to the outreach in Brazil to the surprise with Guatemala at the Gold Cup
The week before the game, El Bocón had more than announced the premiere of its regional edition and donated a trophy to be won at the Elías Aguirre. Curiously enough, the main sponsor of “Ciclón” was its competition: the newspaper Líbero. Adding to this detail was that “Pizarrito” García was the only local athlete not to sport the brand’s imprint on the chest, instead sporting the taped number “30”.
What happened to Fernando “Pizarrito” Garcia?
Fernando “Pizarrito” García played 28 minutes in Aurich’s 3-1 win over Estudiantes de Medicina. After John Hinostroza’s partial 1-1 draw for the Iqueños, “Brujo” Arce swapped the young shooter for the then 37-year-old Rodolfo Miñán. After that, García also joined the U17 and U20 teams, making few important moves for San Martín, Alianza Atlético and Sport Boys.
Fernando “Pizarrito” Garcia played for Willy Serrato for three seasons before retiring. Photo: GLR archives
“Pizarrito” had the most regular season of his career in 2008, playing 31 games and scoring a great Chalaca goal against Alianza Atlético.
Although he later never managed to establish himself in the first division, he had the best season of his career playing in the second division with Willy Serrato in 2014. He wasn’t always a regular, but played most games for the team and also finished as a figure and scorer with 10 points.
Finally, Fernando García, almost on his debut, retired from professional football at the age of 29 after the 2016 season in which he alternated with Willy Serrato. He tried to become a youth coach but discovered his passion for management when he was Juan Aurich’s sports manager. Today, at 35, he said he still has football ties with his sports complex, in addition to running a crossfit gym and hair salon.