Paolo Guerrero returns to Alianza Lima amid controversies and high expectations.

Paolo Guerrero, the iconic all-time top scorer of the Peruvian national team, has signed a contract linking him to Alianza Lima until December 2025, an agreement that marks a milestone in his sports career and likely represents his final chapters as a professional footballer. At nearly 41 years old, Guerrero returns to La Victoria with a renewed hope of leaving an indelible mark on the club where he began his career. However, this return has not been without controversy, particularly concerning his departure from Club César Vallejo, which has generated legal tensions and comments about the formalities in Peruvian football. In an unexpected turn, Guerrero submitted a resignation that allowed him to free himself from his contract with Vallejo, although this could lead to significant legal consequences, according to sports lawyer Marcelo Bee Sellares. This move has been seen by some as controversial and has opened the door to a possible economic lawsuit from the Trujillo club. Despite this complexity, Guerrero remains optimistic and focused on his new challenge with the "íntimos," where he hopes to prove his worth on the field. The agreement reached between Guerrero and Alianza Lima is a clear indication of the impact the forward has on Peruvian football. Not only is he a respected player for his career and skills, but his return also represents the continuation of a love story between the player and the club that saw him grow. It is expected that Guerrero's welcome will be a significant event, with the presence of his mother, Doña Peta, and other former players who have left their mark on the institution, such as Jefferson Farfán. Although the excitement for his return is palpable, Alianza's board has chosen not to officially present Guerrero during the final of the Women's League, recognizing the importance of this event for the players. This gesture underscores the club's willingness to give the spotlight that women in sports deserve, thus showing a solid commitment to equity in Peruvian football. However, Guerrero does not have time to relax. With only eight matches remaining in the Clausura Tournament, the forward urgently needs to adapt and demonstrate his physical condition to earn a place in the starting eleven. The competitive environment is fierce, and the pressure rests on his shoulders, as while he is a legend, the reality of professional sports demands immediate results. The team's training sessions, led by Mariano Soso, will begin without Guerrero, who will join the group on September 2. The task will be monumental: to regain the necessary rhythm in a very tight timeframe and convince the coach that he deserves to be part of the lineups in the decisive matches to come. The Alianza fans eagerly await the chance to see their '9' on the field again, but they are also aware that this return involves complicated challenges. Guerrero's contract with Alianza Lima is not limited to sporting aspects. The situation with César Vallejo has led the club to take precautionary measures, including specific clauses in the agreement that protect Alianza from possible legal claims. Sellares' experience highlights the importance of such actions, suggesting that any lawsuit will likely fall more on Guerrero than on the club. Tensions between César Vallejo and Alianza Lima have escalated following this conflict. Richard Acuña, president of the Trujillo institution, expressed his discontent with the situation, stating that Guerrero's case is an example of the informal practices that, in his view, have begun to infiltrate Peruvian football. His criticism has resonated in some sectors, suggesting a pressing need to formalize contractual relationships to avoid such incidents in the future. For his part, Alianza Lima's administrator, Rafael Medina, came out to defend the club's reputation, asserting that no such practices alleged by Acuña take place at Alianza. This exchange of statements highlights the growing tension between the two clubs and emphasizes the need to establish constructive dialogue to resolve conflicts rather than allowing them to escalate. As the start of Guerrero's new phase at Alianza Lima approaches, fans and sports critics will be closely watching his performance and how the legal events unfold following his departure from César Vallejo. Time will tell whether this return will be the golden closure that Paolo Guerrero deserves or if, on the contrary, it will turn into a new chapter of controversy in his already legendary career.