Guatemala has been in soccer news recently after former Juventus Phenom, Alessandro Del Piero, and former Real Madrid star, Michel Salgado, played in a match in the Central American country. The pair participated in a friendly match with Del Piero playing for Guatemalan champions, Municipal.
This Monday, June 26 it was announced that the team that Alessandro Del Piero represented, Municipal, just signed Panamanian international, Blas Perez. Even at Perez’s advanced age, 36, the signing is still a high-caliber one for a team from that league. The teams do not have the same type of resources or funding as Mexican or South American clubs and the move is surprising.
Perez has had an extensive career dating back to 1998 and still has the drive to continue his career in Guatemala. The veteran striker did have a lengthy career in the Liga MX playing in Mexico with Tigres UANL, Pachuca, San Luis, Leon and Indios de Ciudad Juarez. The Panamanian’s most successful stint was with Pachuca in 2009, where he managed to score eight goals in just 15 appearances.
Perez also recently played in the MLS from 2012-2016 with FC Dallas and the Vancouver Whitecaps. The veteran had over 100 appearances in the MLS and scored 39 goals. In 2017, The 36-year-old played in his native, Panama with Arabe Unido and played with the Bolivian club, Blooming as well. His playing time did decrease, only making seven appearances throughout the year but scoring three goals in those games.
Perez is still plays forthe Panamanian national team and has made appearances in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers this year, even getting on the score-sheet. The move is an intriguing one and is one that should help the veteran get more playing time to stay in form for those World Cup qualifiers.
