César Cueto

César Augusto Cueto Villa (born 6 June 1952 in Lima) is a retired Peruvian attacking midfielder, nicknamed "El Poeta de la zurda" (English: the Left-footed Poet).

This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Cueto and the second or maternal family name is Villa.
César Cueto
Personal information
Full name César Augusto Cueto Villa
Date of birth (1952-06-16) 16 June 1952
Place of birth Lima, Peru
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1968–1971 Alianza Lima 32 (15)
1972–1973 José Gálvez 68 (23)
1974 Deportivo Municipal 42 (29)
1975–1978 Alianza Lima 129 (79)
1979–1983 Atlético Nacional 102 (77)
1984–1985 América de Cali 34 (7)
1986 Deportivo Pereira 18 (4)
1987 Cúcuta Deportivo 11 (3)
1988–1991 Alianza Lima 131 (51)
Total 567 (288)
National team
1972–1985 Peru 51 (6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He played 51 times for the Peru national team between 1972 and 1987[1] and was part of the squad that won the Copa América 1975.[2] He also competed for Peru at the 1978 and 1982 FIFA World Cup. One of Peru's greatest footballers, Cueto was renowned for his agility, close control and passing range.

Biography

Club career

He started his professional career with a local club Alianza Lima in 1969, and between 1973 and 1974 he was on loan with the teams José Galvez and Deportivo Municipal. After Cueto's return to Alianza Lima in 1975, the club won the league titles of 1975, 1977, and 1978.

In 1979, he moved to Colombia to play for Atlético Nacional, where he became the team captain, and won the national title in 1981 with great performances. He received positive coverage[3][4] and he was elected "Mustang Cup best player on the Year": 1980, 1981. He is also considered Atlético Nacional's most renowned player,[5] and was Carlos Valderrama's favorite player and initial inspiration.[6]

He signed with América de Cali in 1984, winning another league title that year with the club. also as captain and team leader.[7]

After an injury in 1985, he retired from the national team but returned to play for Alianza after the 1987 air disaster; another injury struck him in 1988, forcing him away from playing. He played irregularly until his definite retirement in 1991.

International career

Also a member of the Peru national team, he earned 51 caps and scored 6 goals for Peru. He was part of the Peru squad that won the Copa America 1975 and represented it in the World Cups of 1978 – scoring in the opening match against Scotland – and 1982.

Cueto was part of the Peru team which eliminated Colombia and Uruguay in the World Cup Qualifiers in 1981. Peru won in the South American qualifying group B. In 1982, the Peru National team then toured North America and Europe. After losing to New York Cosmos, it went on to defeat Inter Milan and both the Hungary and France national teams. Cueto is best remembered for his great performance in the match against France of Platini on 28 April 1982 in Paris,[8] which the France press acclaimed Peru national team as "one of the best teams in the world". Coming into the 1982 FIFA World Cup, there were high expectations for Peru as a dark horse favorite to win the cup with a team that included such notable players as Julio César Uribe, José Velásquez, Teófilo Cubillas and Cueto. With 2 draws and 1 defeat, Peru finished at the bottom of their group went out in the first round. Cueto himself had a disappointing tournament, Peru failed to advance to the next round, despite having an excellent team.

Also noteworthy was his strong appearance in the World Cup qualifying match against the Argentina in Buenos Aires in 1985. He contributed a scintillating pass to Geronimo Barbadillo for go-ahead goal (the game ended in a tie).[9]

Participation in the World Cup
World Seat Result
1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina Seventh Place
1982 FIFA World Cup Spain 1º Round

Honours
Season Team Title
1975Peru national football teamCopa America
1975Alianza LimaPeruvian League
1977Alianza LimaPeruvian League
1978Alianza LimaPeruvian League
1981Atlético NacionalMustang Cup
1984América de CaliMustang Cup

Individual awards
  • 1980 Peruvian Footballer of the year
  • 1981 Mustang Cup Best player on the year
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References
  1. rsssf: Peru record international footballers
  2. rsssf: Copa América 1975
  3. Cueto, returned to make soccer sublime
  4. National silenced to the Tolima
  5. Atlético Nacional: Titles
  6. Interview to Carlos Valderrama
  7. Idolos of the America of Cali: César Cueto "The Poet of the Golden Left Foot"
  8. Cueto vs France on YouTube
  9. (in Spanish) Archiva Peru


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