Real Esteli’s Barrera looking forward to Club America test

MIAMI, Florida – At age 34, Juan Barrera has just about seen it all and experienced it all in the Concacaf region.

Yet next month the veteran attacking midfielder will have the opportunity to experience another first-time event, as he and Nicaraguan club Real Esteli face off against the most decorated team in Concacaf history, Mexico’s Club America, in Round One of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.

“We didn’t expect to play against them, but things happen for a reason, playing against one of the biggest clubs in Mexico. It is going to be a nice experience,” said Juan Barrera in an interview with Concacaf.com.

“We know that playing at home we are very strong. Here before we have played against Mexican teams like Pumas UNAM and Tigres UANL. Against Club America we expect to play a good game. We have already started studying them, we know their strong points, their shortcomings and so we have to analyze all of that to be able to do a good job,” added Barrera.

While nobody knows what will be the result of the first leg on February 6 at the Estadio Independencia in Esteli, Nicaragua, one certainty is that the Real Esteli faithful will be there loud and proud.

“A team like Club America, of that magnitude, coming to the Estadio Independencia, any fan will want to be there, and not just Real Esteli fans, but fans of other teams. To come and watch Club America play, a team with so much history and great players, is really big and gets attention. Just like the fans, we are dreaming and hoping to start the tournament off on the right foot and give joy to our fans, who deserve it,” said Barrera.

Last fall was one to remember for Barrera and Real Esteli. The club reached its first ever Concacaf Final in the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup, knocking off Central American giant’s CD Olimpia of Honduras and Deportivo Saprissa along the way. The 2024 Champions Cup is another chance to raise the international profile of Real Esteli.

“We’re really excited. We know that we are in this tournament because we deserve to be here. Champions Cup games are distinct, you don’t get to play them every day, so for my younger teammates they are getting that experience in playing these games and they need to have confidence,” said Barrera.

Some of those younger players like 21-year-old MF Harold Medina and 23-year-old MF Bancy Hernandez played a massive role in Real Esteli’s Central American Cup campaign, something they’ll need to do again in the upcoming Champions Cup.

“That is why they are in Real Esteli, that’s why the coach is relying on them. They are really important. In the last tournament, many of the players we had were young and they were important for us in almost all the games. They are gaining experience and now know how these international tournament games are. We have a good group, we are united and we back each other,” said Barrera.

Barrera himself is no stranger to big Concacaf nights. The Nicaragua international has experience playing in the Champions Cup going back to the 2011-12 campaign when he suited up for Panamanian club Tauro. Overall, Barrera has amassed 20 Champions Cup games in his storied career and has one goal, which came in a 1-1 draw at home against Mexican side Tigres in the 2012-13 edition.

“Scoring in the Champions Cup makes you happy. When I reflect on it, it feels satisfying, but at the same time the feeling that stays with you is that the team played well. In that instance, we were winning 1-0 and they tied us in the last minute, and you are left with the sensation that the team was winning and could have done more, but that’s football. We have been growing and we hope to keep improving over the next few years,” said Barrera.

While Barrera’s career has taken him to different clubs around the world, including a spell in Europe and stints with clubs around Central and South America, Real Esteli has always been his home.

Seeing the recent successes of the club in tournaments like the Concacaf League and Central American Cup is a source of pride for Barrera, who hopes the future generations will be able to lead the club to even newer heights.

“I have seen over the years the evolution and the growth that the team has had. I think it’s the merit of the club directors that have been in place for so many years. They believe and have trust in the project, of bringing and growing players through the youth system, and this is the result of supporting and investing. I think Real Esteli is going to continue growing. It’s a long-term project and hopefully more clubs from this country follow the example of Real Esteli, so we can grow more at the international level,” concluded Barrera.