The football destiny has not been favorable for Alexander Lecaros, the 21-year-old from Cusco, who arrived in Rio de Janeiro on December 23, 2019, in search of the challenge with Botafogo. And it is that, when he accelerated his adaptation, problems of language, health, delays, and the recent decline with Garrincha’s team arose. However, he has not thought of throwing in the towel. While finding comfort in his family, the footballer reflects on his reality at Fogão, his future and the possibility of returning to Peruvian football, he even tells about the occasion on which he met Paolo Guerrero, figure of the peruvian team.
What feeling did the descent with Botafogo leave?
Much sadness, I still do not recover. It is a situation that I never imagined, it did not cross my head. My family, who is with me in Rio de Janeiro, is supporting me.
Have you already defined your future?
I have a contract until the end of the year. I have not thought about that yet, as there are four dates left until the tournament ends, but I would like to continue and repay the support they have given me. Going back to Peruvian football will be my last option.
What was the cause of this situation?
Try as we might, we couldn’t find a football idea through the game. Personally, I couldn’t speed up my adaptation process. It was difficult to deal with the stress of fighting in the position we were in. But in the end, a fortuitous play that ended in a penalty, hurt us.
Did the delay in training with Botafogo take a toll on you?
Yes, responsibility will always come first. The punishment was well deserved, I was late and I will not deny it, but I have always been responsible. I will learn from mistakes, it will no longer happen. It shocked me a lot, because I was on the list for the match with Palmeiras, it was my chance to play. Only to take over and come back with greater force.
Lecaros came to the Rio team in January 2019 from Real Garcilaso, now Cusco FC. (Photo: Broadcast)
Will it help you mature and be more responsible?
Life always puts obstacles in your way and you have to overcome them. I am one of the people who is very strong, my thinking is different, now I am reason to play again.
In spite of everything, didn’t it cross your head to throw in the towel and return to Peru?
Many people have been surprised, because I decided to act maturely and continue adapting in search of my consolidation in Botafogo. It is not easy, there are obstacles, I am abroad, I did not know the language, but my greatest ally was always patience.
Did the covid-19 hit you too?
Unfortunately it hit me when I was at my best. It shocked me, it was my time to start. I was at home with a quarrel, I did not feel comfortable, everything was online, but I started again. Things have happened to me here that I never had, but I was able to overcome myself.
Did you increase muscle mass?
I arrived in Rio de Janeiro with 59 kilos, now I am 67. My body growth was very fast, I did it in two months. Here at the club they are watching my meals, vitamins, now I continue to prepare.
Did you lose mobility after gaining muscle weight?
I thought it might happen, that I was going to crash, but I didn’t lose my speed. Rather, it helped me to enhance my game more, to come out more determined, faster.
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Alexander Lecaros made his debut in the First Division in March 2016 against Juan Aurich, wearing the Real Garcilaso shirt. (USI)
Did you talk to Paolo Guerrero?
Yes, when it was our turn with Botafogo to play with Gremio visiting, we trained at the International headquarters. There, my colleagues told me that Paolo Guerrero was in the gym. I went and greeted him, but he had no references from me. Well, I introduced myself, it was a pleasure for me to talk for 20 or 30 seconds with a great person in football.
Enjoying regularity in Brazil, is the national team a close objective?
It always was and always will be a dream. I will never get out of my mind to be in my selection. I fulfilled the dream of emigrating, but now I have to strengthen it more.
Other than Honda, what other colleague do you ask for advice?
Honda communicated a lot with me in Spanish, he greatly appreciated me, I asked him about European football, the stadiums where he played, but now, I learn from Salomón Kalou, who played with Claudio Pizarro in Chelsea. I ask him how he won the Champions League, one always learns by listening to him, and imagines being like them.
Did you strengthen the friendship relationship with Fernando Pacheco?
Sometimes we get together to eat something, now not because of the pandemic, but we are friends. We always care about each other. Support among compatriots is important. Unfortunately we have not coincided when it comes to facing each other on a playing field, there will be time.
And do you already speak Portuguese?
Now yes, some words, before I didn’t understand them, they were very strange. Now, I no longer have problems, I talk a little. Also, the time I was unemployed due to the disease, I studied, I read.
Does Botafogo have a difficult time in the championship?
We will fight to the last to save Botafogo. It is very difficult to deal with it, stresses, a lot of pressure, but it will stay. The team has everything to stay in the professional.
Was it difficult to get to Brazil alone?
Sometimes I lived alone with my puppy, I didn’t feel noise in the living room, but the arrival of my parents has strengthened me to think about always being great. Before arriving in Brazil I knew what my situation would be like, thank God it went well for me. I never thought I would go through the pandemic, but it helped me to adapt, to mature a little more. Now more adapted, there are things that I continue to learn here.
Did you earn the appreciation of the ‘crooked’?
My adaptation was a bit long, I always showed affection for the club, I said that I was going to give everything in every game. Come that way for the club. The love they have for me. My desire is always there, I am a person who fights. You will always see that in the field.
