Claudio pizarro, born on October 3, 1978 in Bellavista (Peru), just hung up his boots at 41 years of age. The Bomber of the Andes He was active in Deportivo Pesquero, Club Alianza Lima, Bremen, Chelsea and Colonia, but achieves his greatest successes wearing the clothing of the Bayern Munich. In AS he explains why he has decided to return as an ambassador to the club of his life.
Q. Are you returning to Bayern as an ambassador because it is the club of your life?
R. Bayern and Bremen. When I decided to leave Peru, it was Werder who gave me the opportunity to start my career in Europe. Afterwards, Bayern allowed me to enter another dimension. In Munich I won most of my titles and made the leap to the elite. I am very excited to be part of this family again.
This time he does not arrive to dress short.
Well, the occasional goal will fall with the veterans. (laughs) Munich was always a special place for me. In 2004, I bought a house that my family lived in for most of my career. It was always the place in Germany where we felt at home. Seeing everyone again is something very special.
Any moment that you have special affection for?
The triplet of 2013, without any doubt. It was an unusual year. I came to the club just at the moment of its greatest failure: the defeat in the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena against Chelsea. I went to the field for the negotiations that I was having with the club at that time and I suffered it in my own flesh. I felt the disappointment and pain of an entire city. When I started the preseason with Bayern a few weeks later, I sensed that anger. But at the same time, I noticed a winning spirit that finally led us to win that coveted cup at the end of the season. Having been able to be part of it is something indescribable.
A triplet that seemed unrepeatable until a few months ago.
I always said that the union in a dressing room is the key to everything. Bayern is a team that, by history, has a multitude of egos in its dressing room. The secret is knowing how to unite them and form a group in which each one goes to death with the other. That is a team. Jupp was able to join us in 2013 and now Hansi Flick has done it again. A coach is not only a technical director, he also has to be a kind of father to his players. He has the power to take care of 23 kids and teach them that they should all row in the same direction. Especially those who do not usually play frequently.
You suffered it at the end of your first stage in Munich from 2001 to 2007.
It was one of the saddest times wearing this shirt. I remember it as if it were yesterday, but it has been 13 years since this. I did not reach an agreement with the club at a time when it was not having much prominence on the pitch. These are very difficult moments for a player and I decided to go to Chelsea. But I came back. And we succeed.
Do you regret the end of your career in the Peruvian team?
I always said that I would have loved to say goodbye in a different way, playing a World Cup. It was a dream and, in a way, what my career lacked. But I have always accepted and respected the coach's decisions. It was an honor to be the captain of Peru and I will stay with that.
How has it changed in more than 20 years in the elite?
The experience goes a long way. Victories and defeats mark you. And they make you grow. Understand things that, when you were young, you might not understand. It is something that marks your path. And help you learn. I still consider myself an apprentice, I will never stop doing it. And now I have to learn and evolve off the field.
What is the secret to compete until 41 years old?
I don't think there are many who will do it in the future. In contemporary football, the physical aspect is fundamental. Every year there are more games, more competition and more muscle on the pitch. The consequence is injuries and, in most cases, the end of the race when it happens to you at a certain age. Anyone who wants to continue competing until my age should know that it is essential to be a true professional in all areas of life, starting with food and ending with training according to your age. Do less, but more often. The body does not forgive. And you have to know how to interpret the signals it gives you.
Do you want to be a coach one day?
It is not a goal you pursue. One of the reasons why I decided to put an end to my career was lack of time. I want to enjoy my family more and this profession does not allow it. For this reason, I am very happy that Bayern has given me the opportunity to start this first stage after my career as an ambassador. I'm sure that time will open the odd doors for me, but for now, I'm very happy to be able to represent a club that I love.
A message for your compatriots in Peru?
Take care. It is the most important thing right now.