Blessed Juan Joya

Juan Joya Cordero (February 25, 1934 – March 29, 2007) was a Peruvian association football player, recognized as one of Peru's most important strikers. He was a historic forward of the Club Atlético Peñarol of Uruguay in the 1960s, one of the best South American teams of the twentieth century. During his time with Club Atlético Peñarol, he won 6 Uruguayan league championships, two Copa Libertadores, two Intercontinental Cups, and one Intercontinental Champions' Supercup. He was considered one of the best wingers in the world in the 1960s, and remains one of the most famous Peruvian footballers of all time. Joya also played for Alianza Lima, Juan Aurich and River Plate. Joya was born in Lima, where he started his playing career in the youth team of Alianza Lima. Joya helped the team to win back-to-back titles in 1954 and 1955. In 1958, he scored 17 goals in 18 matches of the Peruvian league, making him the league's top goalscorer. Joya achieved two Peruvian championships with Alianza Lima in 1954 and 1955 and was the top scorer in the Peruvian League in 1957, scoring 17 goals in 18 games. In 1960, he joined Club Atlético River Plate. He helped the team reach second place at the Argentina championship. In 1961, he joined Peñarol, He played 9 seasons as a forward for Club Atlético Peñarol, from 1961 to 1969. With the aurinegro (gold and black) jersey he played 132 games, scoring 80 goals. At Alianza Lima, he had always served as a forward striker, but when he reached Peñarol, coach Roberto Scarone positioned him as a midfielder for the left wing. Joya scored two of the five goals that Peñarol scored against Benfica in 1961, winning Peñatol's first Intercontinental Cup. He played four finals of the Copa Libertadores, winning twice, and was the undisputed starter in all of them.