Ricardo Gareca | Donny Neyra: “I’m his baby from Gareca, he’s my old man” [ENTREVISTA] FOOTBALL PERUVIAN

When he had the ball at his feet, Donny Neyra was a serious problem for rivals. When he put the ball down, he was a problem for it Ricardo GarecaThey called him a jerry can because of his robust figure, which contradicts his quality and cunning on the field, especially in that Apertura of 2008, when he wore the best of his repertoire with the Sports University jersey and the “Tiger” as a coach. . Being overweight was never a problem for Donny as he was always one step ahead thanks to his mental speed.

Almost thirteen years later, already away from professional football, Donny Neyra answers the phone and does not hesitate to chat comfortably with EL BOCÓN. He knows us, we know each other. His triumphs and falls were our cover. There is appreciation, trust. That is why he does not hesitate to talk about everything: what he saved for the pillow, what he always wanted to say and what the bocómano likes; the anecdote, the spicy.

Donny Neyra talks about his “father” Gareca, warning that he was the first “son” before Christian Cueva; he tells how he played overweight at the Sports University and still broke. The ‘Bidón’ also tells the dark but inevitable side of retirement: the dangerous depression. He also says that the pandemic caused him to gain 30 kilos and that he has been quarantined to sell masks, gloves and even oxygen. He gives himself the time to talk about Alianza Lima’s descent and – of course – tell where his “Riquelme de Ate” badge comes from.

This is Donny Neyra without filters.

What are you doing, far from football?

4 years ago I quit football because of depression before I broke up. I wanted to go back to training, but they don’t give me my legs. Now in a pandemic, I am committed to selling masks, gloves, oxygen. And personally I have gained 30 pounds. Now I weigh 111 kilos, unrecognizable. I ate Donny (laughs). Friends nearby tell me I ate the oxygen balloons, ha ha ha.

Is the talent still intact?

The other day I played pichanga with Juan Carlos Mariño and people exploded. I was waiting for the purchase of an oxygen balloon, I took off someone’s shoes and played. The thing is very difficult, in my neighborhood we did the daily means a little bit off the field.

Did you play at your ideal weight as a football player?

Nothing, I gave away weight. I had to play with 85, 86 or 87 kilos. I always had weight problems, but I squatted and shook a lot. He was still fat, but since chibolo.

Ricardo Gareca’s birthday was 63 years old.

To me, he is a person that I appreciate, admire, respect, some virtues. He is my old man, my father, an important person in my life.

Who gave you the nickname “Riquelme de Ate”?

That he was a joke by Willy Rivas, “Charra” Rabanal, ha ha ha.

Did you see Ricardo Gareca’s gaze at the start of the pandemic?

If Hahaha. He looked like a castaway. My old man wanted to go unnoticed, but his size betrayed him. Always to shave. He combs his hair with his hand, ha ha ha.

Any anecdote with Ricardo Gareca?

There are a few. South American game I did not travel because I was late for two previous training sessions. I warned, but he didn’t pass it on to me. The team, the “U”, travels to Quito at sunrise. It was very difficult. He told me, “I made the decision to get you out.” The worst part is that he wasn’t looking at my face, but to the side. Then I went out and cried, feeling like I had abandoned him. Days later they called me from Quito: “The professor says, you are going to play again.” But we haven’t talked to each other. One day we were in Tacna, as he poured concentrated water over my hair, he said to me, “Let’s see if we can resume the relationship.” I was completely spoiled, I replied ‘but if you don’t talk to me’. And he said again, “Uh, after the shit … what did you do”, ha ha ha. Ricardo, my old man, brought out the best in me in football. It marked a lot in my life, it could have been much better if he stayed by my side, but fate didn’t want it.

Would he take you to Velez?

That was said by ‘Malingas’ Jiménez and Raúl Fernández, who loved all three of us, but it didn’t happen.

Will Ricardo be loved and respected after taking us to the World Cup?

I remember his name was just declared to the national team. I spoke to Néstor Bonillo, another of my friends, I am very fond of him. I called him and asked, “Professor, are they already in the selection?” “No, we’re on it,” he replied. ‘But what do you expect, silver is what’s in the Federation. What happens is they don’t want to pay them, ”I said, laughing. Every time I’ve been able to give my little comment, they’ve listened to me.

Do you have competition, another brother in Christian Cueva?

I am her first Peruvian baby, I am the oldest, Cueva is my younger brother, ha ha ha. Ricardo is very fond of Christian, respect is mutual.

Do you know it too?

We have mutual friends, we get along well. We have made video calls. I am happy that he is happy in Arabia, the rest will come alone.

Does Gareca Dress Cueva Despite Criticism?

He is like that, he always sees the human side too. He is very intelligent. All the guys on the national team kill for him. He is a coach who knows how to reach the football player. In college, even those who played were happy.

There are several victims in the matches against Bolivia and Venezuela. Those of the MLS wouldn’t come for restrictions in the US?

We need the boys to film. Paolo has had rope for a while. Farfán may be inactive, but he’s still breaking his waist. In La Paz it will be very difficult, but there is capacity. Ricardo must have already thought about what to do.

Was Alianza’s descent surprising?

Too bad for all Alliance people. I have many friends, I played there. There were really good players, but few game ideas, little self-esteem for the institution. Fate played him badly. No one will want to play to lose and go down.