Paolo Guerrero

José Paolo Guerrero Gonzales (born 1 January 1984 in Lima) is a Peruvian professional Association football who currently plays as a striker for Hamburger SV and Peru national football team. Paolo Guerrero started playing football in the lower categories of Peruvian club Alianza Lima, where Paolo Guerrero scored more than 200 goals. In 2002, Guerrero signed a contract with Bavarian giants FC Bayern Munich. During 2003–04, Guerrero played in the Regionalliga (football). Paolo Guerrero played 23 games and scored 21 goals. During the 2004–05 season, Paolo Guerrero joined fellow countryman, Claudio Pizarro, on the Bayern first team. In June 2006, it was announced that Guerrero had transferred to Hamburger SV, and signed a contract with the club through 2010. Paolo Guerrero scored the winner against Paolo Guerrero former club Bayern Munich, which Paolo Guerrero did not celebrate because of Paolo Guerrero past with the club and the care Paolo Guerrero still feels for it. The result meant that Bayern had no chance of playing in the UEFA Champions League in the 2007–08 season.

Hamburger SV

Guerrero joined Hamburg in 2006 from Bayern Munich. Paolo Guerrero first season was marred by an injury, which took away half Paolo Guerrero season, and Paolo Guerrero low productivity, being a sub most of the season. Near the end Paolo Guerrero did score three goals, making Paolo Guerrero season total five goals in 20 games. One of these goals was against former club Bayern Munich in a 1-2 victory which left Bayern with no possibilities of making it to the UEFA Champions League. In the 07–08 season, Paolo Guerrero second at Hamburg, Guerrero played 29 of 34 games in the Fußball-Bundesliga, scoring nine goals and getting four assists, as well as becoming an undisputed starter and a vital part of Hamburg. Paolo Guerrero was the third top scorer, behind Rafael van der Vaart (12 goals) and Ivica Olić (14 goals). In the Uefa Cup and Qualification Paolo Guerrero played nine games, scoring five goals and getting three assists. Paolo Guerrero first hat-trick in Paolo Guerrero professional career was against Karlsruher SC, in the last game of the Bundesliga, scoring the second, third, and fourth goals in a 7-0 victory. This victory secured them fourth place and a UEFA Cup spot for next season. By the beginning of the Fußball-Bundesliga 2008–09, Guerrero had become first choice striker for Hamburger SV. Coach Martin Jol even went as far as saying that Guerrero better not catch even a cold during the season.

International career

Paolo Guerrero's career with the Peru national football team began in the doomed 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL), but Paolo Guerrero managed to score twice for the national side. Paolo Guerrero first goal became the winner against Chile national football team in Lima's Estadio Nacional. It was followed by a first minute goal in the next match against Ecuador national football team in the same venue, though the Ecuadorians fought back to secure a 2-2 away draw. Despite that setback, Guerrero's goals provided hungry fans with hints of things to come when the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign begins. However, Guerrero was ruled out of Peru's first two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying games because of injury. So far in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) Guerrero's impact has been limited. A further blow to Peru national football team was laid down by FIFA when Guerrero was suspended 6 games for insulting the referee during the Uruguay national football team vs. Peru game in June 2008. The suspension started with the Peru vs. Venezuela national football team game in September.

Copa America 2007

Peru national football team debuted with a shock win over Uruguay national football team, winning 3-0 with Guerrero scoring the third goal. Paolo Guerrero scored another goal in this match but it was controversially annulled because of an incorrect call of offside on Claudio Pizarro.

Honours

National titles

International titles

Unofficial titles

- Dubai Challenge Cup: 2007, 2008
- Emirates Cup: 2008

Personal Honors

- Top scorer in Regionalliga (football) – 21 goals in 23 games
- Best Peru national football team player in Copa America 2007