Universidad Catolica’s offseason preparations are underway, with fans hoping the team can clinch yet another championship in 2022. One of the big questions is if club icon Jose Pedro Fuenzalida, the most decorated player in the club’s history with 11 titles, will continue with the team. The uncertainty surrounding Fuenzalida’s future has stirred emotions among fans, and recent comments from Cristian Alvarez, former player and current technical secretary of Universidad Catolica, add to the intrigue.
Fuenzalida’s role as a leader and consistent performer makes him irreplaceable in the eyes of fans.
“Chapa has always been important for all of us,” Alvarez shared, emphasizing the impact Fuenzalida has had on the team and the community.
This support has only fueled speculation about his decision. Alvarez, who was recently honored as a Knight of the Cross, remains optimistic, saying:
“I think that he will do well and I think there are many possibilities that he will stay.”
The club’s objectives remain ambitious. Alvarez made it clear that Universidad Catolica is not resting on its laurels:
“The fifth championship. And in Libertadores, to get past the group stage.”
Fuenzalida’s presence, according to Alvarez, would be crucial in driving the team toward these goals, especially in the competitive Libertadores arena.
However, Fuenzalida isn’t the only player whose future is uncertain. Diego Buonanotte, another well-known figure at Universidad Catolica, has reportedly declined the club’s renewal offer due to a proposed salary reduction. When asked about Buonanotte, Alvarez took a more reserved stance, saying:
“They are in negotiations… I only go up to a point, and then I will not get involved.”
The statement reflects a cautious approach in contrast to his enthusiasm for Fuenzalida’s potential return.
With Fuenzalida’s decision pending, Universidad Catolica supporters remain hopeful that both he and Buonanotte will stay and help the club achieve new milestones in the upcoming season.