El Comercio published a fun inspirational cartoon for today’s soccer game against Colombia. The story revolves around the historic 1975 Copa America.
The cartoon revolves around Hugo “Cholo” Sotil, one of Peru’s best players in the 1970s along with Teofilo “Nene” Cubillas and team captain Hector “El Capitan de America” Chumpitaz.
The cartoon is translated below, enjoy!
Hugo “Cholo” Sotil traveled from Barcelona without asking for permission from his team, which was not allowing its players to participate in the Copa America tournament.
“Cholo, what are you doing here?”
“I came to play. You think I came to see you?”
In Spain, I was reading the news about the Peruvian national team’s games.
Peru’s victory over the “green and yellow” was unexpected for some.
‘Peru defeats Brazil 3-1 on their own field.’
I have to go. I have to go! But the club won’t let me.
“Guillermina, buy me plane tickets to Caracas please.”
“But you’re going to get in big trouble, Hugo!”
“I want to play for the national team. I don’t care what the club says.”
Months prior, on February 17, 1974, Sotil was the star of the 5-0 win over Real Madrid, the historic rival. His header goal at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium is remembered as one of the finest moments in Barcelona history.
The unexpected arrival of “Cholo” Sotil in Caracas, the city where the Copa America final would be played, overjoyed the Peruvian team’s trainer, Marcos Calderon.
“Cholo, what a surprise! I have you for the final!”
Sotil was generous. Legend says that upon arriving from Barcelona he gave gold watches to his teammates. The truth is the watches were less expensive.
“This is for you, Nene.”
The Peruvian squad was going for its second Copa America title against Colombia on October 28, 1975. Peru won its first title in 1939, which at that time was called the South American Championship, with Teodoro “Lolo” Fernandez on the field.
Sotil and Cubillas were impressive on the field of the Olympic Stadium of the Central University of Venezuela, where the 1975 was played.
“Nene Cubillas kicks a hard shot, the rebound goes to Cholo, GOALLLLLLL!”
“Peru, Copa America champion! Thank you, Cholo! Thank you for giving great joy to the country!”
“Peru, champions!”
Back in Barcelona, he thought about the possible consequences of his reckless decision. Despite the initial anger from the club managers, the reaction was different from what he expected.
“Congratulations, Cholo. You’re worth a lot to Peru!”
Since then, every time the national team plays against Colombia, the fans remember the historic goal by the great Hugo Sotil.
GO PERU!
View or download the entire cartoon in PDF.
To view all of El Comercio’s print content in PDF, subscribe via Peru Quiosco.