Lima Alliance | Leao Butrón: “I will bear the pain of the descent all my life” | FOOTBALL PERUVIAN

“I’m not going to lie to you when I see my photos, the Alianza Lima team, where I always wanted to play, the fans, everything makes me sad”, confesses with broken voice the “1” of Alianza, Leao Butrón, who , speaking exclusively with EL BOCÓN, confirmed that he hung up his gloves after twenty-five years related to football. “I had already made up my mind last year, and I was only doubtful if Alianza called me, but it wasn’t like that,” he said nostalgically.

You’ve probably dreamed of that day full in your arms, taking an Olympic round, celebrating a new title with your loved ones team, but the reality hit you like half the country. “I will bear the pain of relegation all my life”, was the resignation of the goalkeeper, who was under the three sticks: not having played a World Cup or emigrated abroad. “It was fortunes, I am calm with my football career,” he said.

What will your future be?

I had decided to retire since last year. The only doubt was that when we descended I thought Alianza was going to call me but they didn’t. In 2020 I had my best Copa Libertadores, the best of my life. Of course, it eventually lost its category and we all shrug. Of course I have that shake that wasn’t retirement the way I would have liked, but I’ll remember always defending Alianza’s colors.

Are there people who say I would have retired you in 2017?

Because I love the attitude as much as I do, I think it’s a shame I haven’t been able to give more to the club. I don’t regret anything. I am thankful to God, it has been a great race, in the sports part we have made merit not to descend, but this all happened.

What is the self-criticism after the descent?

There are times when I think and wonder, ‘what happened’. Criticism goes beyond sports. Many colleagues made every effort to correct mistakes, but it was too late, we had the negative streak after us.

Did a point save them?

We didn’t know how to get out of the complicated situation. Fighting the relegation zone with Alianza will never be the same as with any other club. It was tough, the feeling that we were struggling not to descend.

But that’s when they go to TAS

It is an administrative matter, there are many things that cause shame, how it has been handled.

Are you talking to an ex-partner?

Yes, with Rinaldo Cruzado, almost always. He deserves something else after what happened to Alianza. We all pushed the car together, but it was difficult. Unfortunately, in football, anyone can express their views with immense impudence. Many classified Rinaldo, me, as the ones who didn’t do much. To say that, they should not be guided by what they see, but by what has happened inside. We will bear the pain all our lives.

After the scandals, did you draw attention to your former colleagues?

We did what we had to do. We all had the same responsibility. He couldn’t always be on top, everyone had obligations. Each of last year’s 30 players knows what they did well or badly. What happened in 2020 is the same for everyone. They talked a lot about me, about Rinaldo, through social networks, but inside we were all the same. If anyone wants to think this is not the case, life in football will put them in their place.

Are you broken after the descent?

I don’t bring work problems home, but when I finished the game, I cried like a broken child, like many people.

How is the relationship with the fans?

Not at my best moment have I had everyone’s acceptance. Through social networks people express themselves as they want, I am disappointed by many followers, but I do not get the comments. Only the people around me know my position, I have also known fans who respect me.

Did they call you from Southern Command?

Yes, I am in touch. They have always treated me with respect. There are people who support me. The command is huge.

And are you prepared for the ridicule of the eternal rival?

I have a lot of respect for the university, but they have always exaggerated a lot. The jokes will always be there, it always has been. If a classic is missed, let’s hope Alianza returns soon.

Do you hope to continue to contribute to Alianza, now from a different area?

It was always my plan and not only to have been supported by footballer. I have several years of preparation. I think as a former player and a decent person I have to wait if I’m in the plans, I can’t look for it. It seems to me that it is time to set up the house. Many people have been carried away by social network tightness, but not all of them are the masses. Some run the networks.

What did you think of Christian Bustos’ appointment?

I liked it. Martín Rodríguez, team leader in San Martín, told me about Bustos, the kind of person he is. I liked how he worked in San Martín, in Melgar, he can do good things for Alianza Lima. A few times I ran into him at Matute when we played against San Martín. He is a demanding technician, which is a good thing.

Pablo Bengoechea, Mario Salas, Daniel Ahmed, all champions, but they couldn’t keep Alianza in the First Division.

They are top-notch technicians, but they will have to wear this cross forever. I believe everyone has done everything they can to avoid this situation.

Did it hurt the rotation in the arc?

I don’t think it makes any sense. It is not a rule that helps. The goalkeeper, the more games he has, the more it can be seen on the field. Manuel Herede was the best, but he’s in Mannucci. It is bad practice to see only the work of the great.

The “compadres” are controlled by administrations

To become competitive, a club must have had many management problems. That reflects Alianza, Universitario, Cienciano, Sport Boys, they all carry problems. It shows that things have been done wrong and they are paying the consequences.

Have they called you from other clubs to hire you?

Yes, as a football player, but I had already decided to retire, why. Also for administrative matters, informal, but he had been staying with the family for a while. For the time being I will remain linked to football, but I don’t want to be there, but I want to make a difference.

Is Monday, February 15, the Alliance’s 120th anniversary?

Alianza will forever remain the largest in Peru. To be great you can see everything: sports, institutional, bloated. All I ask people is that they put the “I want” aside and do something for Alianza.