The harsh reality behind football dreams in Peru: alarming figures of short career duration.

Peruvian soccer is a passion that moves crowds and awakens dreams in every corner of the country. From the youngest to the most experienced, the desire to become a professional player is a goal that many pursue fervently. However, the reality behind this much-desired dream is harsher than it seems. A recent study conducted by El Comercio revealed alarming figures about the short duration of careers of Peruvian footballers who debut in the Liga 1. Between the years 2019 and 2022, more than 300 footballers had the opportunity to debut in the top category of Peruvian soccer. However, statistics reveal that 62% of these debutants are no longer in Liga 1 and have not migrated to foreign leagues. This means that the majority of these players did not manage to establish themselves in the national football elite and have seen their dream of pursuing a successful professional career thwarted. The situation becomes even more disheartening when analyzing what has become of these footballers after their debut. Only 35% of the players continue in Liga 1, while a mere 3% have managed to migrate abroad. The rest is divided into two groups: 24% continue in the professional realm but in Liga 2 teams, while 38% do not have a registered professional club for the current season. It is concerning to see that many of these young talents who once shone in Liga 1 are now without a team, actively seeking new opportunities, or even deciding to retire from football for various reasons. Lack of continuity, injuries, and scarcity of opportunities are just some of the reasons that explain why so many Peruvian footballers see their path to the elite cut short. One of the most striking aspects of this study is the average age of debut in Liga 1, which stands at 19.5 years. While it is true that some players have debuted at younger ages, the majority do so from the age of 19, indicating that our footballers take longer to establish themselves in the elite. This data contrasts with the reality of other leagues where players usually debut at a younger age and have longer careers. Another point to highlight is the position of the players who debuted and do not remain in Liga 1, with left winger being the most common, followed by right and left full-backs. It is also noteworthy the number of center forwards who fail to establish themselves in the elite, which could be a sign of a lack of replacement options in that position for the Peruvian National Team. In terms of clubs, it is interesting to see that there are teams that have contributed more players to Liga 1 and still maintain a significant presence in the elite, such as Melgar and Sporting Cristal. On the other hand, clubs like Sport Boys, Deportivo Municipal, Academia Cantolao, and Llacuabamba stand out for the number of debutants who are currently off the Liga 1 radar, some of them even playing in the second division. In summary, the data revealed by this study highlights the harsh reality that many young footballers in Peru face. The short duration of their careers, lack of opportunities, and difficulty in establishing themselves in the elite are just some of the challenges they face. It is necessary to reflect on the causes behind this situation and seek solutions that allow our footballers to develop their full potential and achieve the success they so eagerly desire.