Andina

Peru's Guerrero nominated Americas' top soccer player

Paolo Guerrero

Paolo Guerrero

14:47 | Lima, Nov. 29.

Peruvian national team's top striker and captain Paolo Guerrero has been nominated for the Americas' best soccer player award by Uruguayan newspaper "El País."

The journal has been picking the top players in the Americas since 1986, with the help of a survey conducted among the continent's most renowned sports journalists, which is also open to the public this year.

In this sense, Guerrero —who plays for Brazilian club Flamengo— appears on the list along with River Plate's Ignacio Scocco, Lanus' Lautaro Acosta, Boca Juniors' Dario Benedetto (Argentina) and Gremio's Luan (Brazil).

The 33-year-old Peruvian is also nominated for best striker, as well as Lanus' Jose Sand, Boca Juniors' Dario Benedetto (Argentina), Barcelona's Jonathan Alvez (Uruguay) and Corinthians' Jo (Brazil). 
 
As is known, Guerrero was suspended for 30 days by governing body FIFA, for producing abnormal doping test result after a goalless draw against Argentina at the World Cup Qualifiers.

Such ban has prevented him from playing the World-Cup-qualifying playoff against New Zealand and the South American Cup's semi-final defending Brazilian team Flamengo.

In this sense, he has traveled to Switzerland to present his defense to FIFA's Disciplinary Committee.

"I'm fine and calm. Now I have to prove my innocence. I'm very optimistic because I didn't do anything wrong," the Flamengo star said before taking a plane. 

Other Peruvian nominees

It must be noted Peruvian soccer players Aldo Corzo (fullback), Alberto Rodriguez (defender), Miguel Trauco (left fullback), and Christian Cueva (winger) are also nominees in other categories of the contest.   

(END) JCC/CCR/FGM/MVB

Published: 11/29/2017