Werder Bremen's Claudio Pizarro is still getting it done
Werder Bremen reserve striker Claudio Pizarro could be considered a bit long in the tooth for the modern game.
The 40-year-old Peruvian is not exactly what most would consider a surefire option to bring in fresh legs off the bench during a tight contest. Pizarro, however, just keep proving the doubters wrong as he did against Hertha Berlin last weekend.
Pizarro's miraculous free kick goal in extra time -- that appeared to take multiple deflections --was just that latest example that the Werder Bremen man still has a little bit of magic left in his boots as it helped Die Werderaner clinch a hard-fought draw.
Pizarro has five goals and two assists in 20 games across all competitions and has been a reliable contributor for Werder Bremen on the pitch and in the locker room.
"I'm very proud that I scored the goal," said Pizarro told the AP. Pizarro became the oldest player in the history of the Bundesliga to score as he was 40 years, 136 days old when he scored, breaking the record by 15 days. The previous record-holder was Mirko Votava, who scored his last Bundesliga goal for Bremen in August 1996. "I never expected in my life that I would have such a record. But I still have the desire to play football and enjoy every moment - and of course the goals, too."
While Pizarro has been valuable with his play, his ability to provide a leadership presence to an emerging team like Die Werderaner is vital. With young talents like Josh Sargent, Max and Johannes Eggestein, and Milot Rashica, Pizarro has the proper mentality and feeling of debt to the game to be a viable mentor and show the younger players the finer points on what it means to be a professional.
Pizarro's illustrious career has taken to Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and FC Koln among other places, but the center forward is now back at Werder Bremen providing a spark to the offense whenever his number is called.
With 195 goals, Pizarro is the Bundesliga's all-time top-scoring foreign player in the Bundesliga. The Peruvian's record, however, will likely fall to Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski in the near future. Lewandowski has 193 goals.
"I think Lewandowski is coming from behind to break my record," Pizarro said to the AP. "I'll simply keep trying to score a goal and help the team when I come on."
It's nice to have that kind of comfort for coach Florian Kohfeldt, who is four years younger than Pizarro, and his players alike to know the Pizza Man will be there to deliver on-and-off the pitch.
"The guy is incredible," Kohfeldt told the AP. "Still an unbelievable player."
