During his career as a professional footballer, “Puma” Carranza has only defended one jersey, that of the Universitario de Deportes. With this club he not only made his debut but also won eight national titles, with which he became an idol for all fans of the merengue team. The midfielder also set a record of 608 games played with the creams before retiring in 2004.
The “Puma” came to the sports university at the age of 13 on the recommendation of “Mono” Solezzi. He spent much of his life at Lolo Fernández, where he grew up and learned by watching the top-flight first-team train. In the beginning, of course, I didn’t want to be a professional soccer player, but rather a police officer.
Why has ‘Puma’ Carranza ruled out offers from Alianza Lima and Racing?
During his glory days, ‘Puma’ Carranza was held in high esteem at club level having won various titles in the Apertura tournament with him university, as well as in the First Division. However, one factor made the ex-footballer turn down various transfers and stayed in the merengue team throughout his football career.
In an interview with Movistar Deportes, he revealed that he had had offers from Alianza Lima and Racing from Argentina, but both had rejected them due to their loyalty to the Universitario de Deportes.
“When I was two years old in first grade with the ‘U’, Mauricio Nova came and he always followed me to get me racing. I didn’t accept because I had to keep my word with the ‘U’,” stressed ‘el Puma’.
Puma’ Carranza played at the Universitario from 1985 to 2004. Photo: Libero
He also looked for it at Alianza Lima, but at the age of 4 in the first division. “I thanked them, but I stayed at the ‘U’. I will always be connected to the Universitario, nobody will take that away from me. There they gave me the opportunity and taught me respect,” he added.