An Introduction to Blas Perez
Early Life and Career
Blas Antonio Miguel Pérez García, commonly known as Blas Pérez, is a retired Panamanian professional footballer who played as a striker. He was born on March 13, 1981, in Panama City, Panama. Pérez began his professional career in 2001 with Panamanian club Árabe Unido, where he quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer.In 2003, Pérez moved to Colombian club Deportivo Cali, where he continued to impress with his goal-scoring prowess. He helped the club win the Copa Mustang in 2005 and was named the league's top scorer in 2007. Pérez's performances in Colombia earned him a move to Mexican club Pachuca in 2008. With Pachuca, he won the CONCACAF Champions League in 2010 and was named the tournament's MVP.
International Career
Pérez made his debut for the Panama national football team in 2001 and went on to become one of the country's most decorated players. He played in four CONCACAF Gold Cups and helped Panama qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2018. Pérez scored 43 goals in 123 appearances for Panama, making him the country's all-time leading goalscorer.
Club Career in Mexico
After leaving Pachuca in 2011, Pérez continued his career in Mexico with several different clubs. He played for León, Tijuana, Veracruz, and Querétaro before retiring in 2021. Pérez continued to score goals throughout his time in Mexico and helped several of his clubs achieve success.
Return to Panama
In 2022, Pérez returned to his home country to play for Árabe Unido, where he began his professional career. He helped the club win the Panamanian league title in his first season back and announced his retirement at the end of the 2022 season.
Legacy
Blas Pérez is considered one of the greatest Panamanian footballers of all time. He is the country's all-time leading goalscorer and played a key role in Panama's qualification for their first-ever FIFA World Cup. Pérez was known for his speed, skill, and finishing ability, and he will be remembered as one of the most successful Panamanian footballers of his generation.
