With 339 games played – being the goalkeeper with the most games in the club’s history –, two titles and thirteen seasons in three different stages, Jose Carvallo left University of Sports knowing that it was the right time for a change of scenery. Thus, despite the fact that the board insisted on his permanence so that he would be on the centenary squad, the decision was already made well in advance.
In a recent interview with Al Ángulo, the 37-year-old footballer explained the reasons that motivated his departure and how he thought with his family that this was the right time to leave the Ate club. Although he was encouraged to confirm the end of his time at Universitario during the celebrations in Matute for the title of the League 1 Betsson 2023, For several months he had already considered this possibility, regardless of the outcome of the championship.
“It is something that I had decided months ago, it is a personal decision together with my wife and my family. I already knew that this was my last year at the ‘U’, no matter what. Obviously I wanted it to be like that, champion. We had analyzed all the possibilities. I felt like I had already completed a cycle with Universitario. It’s been quite a few years, I’m a fan of the ‘U’, I love the institution. Now it’s not easy to leave because of how the year ended, but it was a thoughtful decision and I feel very calm.“, he told in the program Movistar Sports.
On the other hand, José Carvallo thanked the willingness of Jean Ferrari, administrator of the ‘U’, and Manuel Barreto, sports manager, to insist on his continuity despite his decision. Likewise, he commented that not everything was rosy in the ‘merengue’ team, because in all these years without winning he also lived through hard moments where criticism fell on him from all sides. Despite this, he always knew how to stay on his feet.
“I want to thank Jean (Ferrari), Manuel (Barreto), the technical command and my teammates. There are many things, everything has not been as nice as it has been now. In fact, there have been difficult moments, we know that it is part of football and one accepts it. You take the challenge and to achieve important things you have to step on grass and step on mud. You are in the ‘U’, the biggest team in the country, you know that you are going to be a hero or villain in less than a minute in a game. I also feel that nowhere is anyone indispensable, I feel that I have left, within what corresponds to me, on track to the ‘U’”he added.
Likewise, the experienced goalkeeper spoke about criticism and how he dealt with it throughout his career, being aware of the demands that exist at Universitario. “Criticism is part of, we are exposed to it. Well-crafted, meaningful criticism is accepted. Now we see insults from everyone and it’s not good. I try to maintain balance, both in good times and bad. In the ‘U’, despite not having been champion, I have good moments and the other”, he detailed.
Although he was always called out when he made some mistakes, Carvallo remained calm and kept his feet on the ground. “That balance, knowing who you are in good times and bad, is always important. I always knew who he was, what he gave to the ‘U’ and what type of leader he was for the institution. I always had it, I never questioned it and my colleagues let me know that. That’s gratifying”, he noted.
The importance of Jorge Fossati
At another point in the interview, Jose Carvallo –who is just one signature away from joining César Vallejo– spoke about the formation of the ‘U’ squad for this season that ended, the passage of Carlos Compagnucci for the club and the importance of Manuel Barreto to sustain the sports project despite the bad start. Likewise, he highlighted the experience of Jorge Fossati as a fundamental pillar to isolate them from extra-football things, so that the players could focus only on training and facing the championship.
“I believe that the ‘U’ made a great team. I always trusted the team of players. Carlos (Compagnucci) was the one who started the process together with Manuel (Barreto), and when he had to leave, they told us that they were convinced that we were going to become champions. Then Jorge (Fossati) arrived, a winning guy, with a lot of experience, who instilled things in us, he led the group through good and not so good moments. He assumed that role with the press that is always important, and let us focus only on football. He was important to the protection he gave us. He, with all his experience, helped us bring out our best version.“, hill.
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