Personal information | |||
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Full name | César Augusto Cueto Villa | ||
Date of birth | June 6, 1952 | ||
Place of birth | Lima, Peru | ||
Height | 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||
Playing position | Midfielder | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
1968–1971 | Alianza Lima | ||
1972–1973 | José Gálvez | ||
1974 | Deportivo Municipal | ||
1975–1978 | Alianza Lima | ||
1979–1983 | Atlético Nacional | ||
1984–1985 | América de Cali | ||
1986 | Deportivo Pereira | ||
1987 | Cúcuta Deportivo | ||
National team | |||
1972–1985 | Peru | 51 | (6) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of April 2008. † Appearances (Goals). |
César Augusto Cueto Villa (born 6 June 1952 in Lima) is a Peruvian former football midfielder who 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.
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Cueto, nicknamed el Poeta de la Zurda (the Left-footed Poet), he is one of the most revered footballers in the history of his club Alianza Lima, and Peruvian football. He is also considered Atlético Nacional's most renowned player,[3] and was Carlos Valderrama's favorite player and initial inspiration.[4]
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. The press praised his soccer playing qualities[5][6] and he was elected "Mustang Cup best player on the Year": 1980, 1981. 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.
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 Peruvian National team then went on to a tour of 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 París,[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 remarkable appearance in the World Cup qualifying match against the Argentina in Buenos Aires in 1985, He displayed his trademark skills, baffling defenders and contributed a scintillating pass to Geronimo Barbadillo for go-ahead goal (the game ended in a tie).[9]
World | Seat | Result |
---|---|---|
1978 FIFA World Cup | Argentina | Seventh Place |
1982 FIFA World Cup | Spain | 1º Round |
Season | Team | Title |
---|---|---|
1975 | Peruvian national team | Copa America |
1975 | Alianza Lima | Peruvian League |
1977 | Alianza Lima | Peruvian League |
1978 | Alianza Lima | Peruvian League |
1981 | Atlético Nacional | Mustang Cup |
1984 | América de Cali | Mustang Cup |
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