Pedro Pablo León


Pedro Pablo León García, also known as Perico León, was a Peruvian professional footballer who played as a striker.

Career

León made 49 appearances for the Peru national team between 1963 and 1973. He then started in the 1970 FIFA World Cup for the Peru national football team, along with Teófilo Cubillas, Roberto Challe and Hugo Sotil.
At club level, León played most of his career for Alianza Lima in Peru. He also played in Ecuador for Barcelona Sporting Club and in Venezuela for Deportivo Galicia.

Playing style

Perico León was a strong striker of playful skills and a unique ability to effectively use the score with his head. His ability to create technical plays often allowed him to go back and aid his teammates, thus making him quite a complete player with the possibility to serve as both a good midfielder and an excellent forward. Due to this, Pedro Pablo León is often considered one of the best forwards in the history of Peruvian football.

Personal life

He lived in Miami, Florida, and enjoyed watching his grandson Brian Jair León play soccer for the Varsity high school soccer team in Nevada. His grandson is following in his grandfather's footsteps of becoming a professional footballer.

Career statistics

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.17 March 1963La Paz, Bolivia1–12–11963 South American Championship
2.21 March 1963La Paz, Bolivia1–22–31963 South American Championship
3.2 June 1965Caracas, Venezuela3–16–31966 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.2 June 1965Caracas, Venezuela4–26–31966 FIFA World Cup qualification
5.2 June 1965Caracas, Venezuela5–26–31966 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.14 July 1968Lima, Peru1–03–4Friendly
7.14 July 1968Lima, Peru2–03–4Friendly
8.9 May 1969Bogotá, Colombia3–13–1Friendly
9.20 May 1969Mexico City, Mexico1–01–0Friendly
10.27 June 1969Lima, Peru1–01–0Friendly
11.18 July 1969Lima, Peru2–02–1Friendly
12.3 August 1969Lima, Peru1–01–01970 FIFA World Cup qualification
13.18 March 1970León, Mexico1–03–3Friendly
14.18 March 1970León, Mexico3–33–3Friendly
15.18 April 1970Lima, Peru3–04–2Friendly

Honours

Individual awards