YOU'VE heard of a magic sponge, but what about a magic man? Because believe it or not, Peru have their own splash of magic in the squad as their players tuck lucky playing cards down their socks – given to them by the team magician. Peru's players – including Christian Cueva – tuck lucky playing cards down their socks given to them by the team magician Peruvian trickster Ernesto Carpio-Tirado is better known by his stage name Plomo and is part of the team's backroom staff. Plomo has followed the team for the last four years and will accompany them on their Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign. The magician was in the dugout as Peru beat Chile in the summer's Copa America semi-final and also accompanied the squad at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. And when Peru's creative spark Christian Cueva was spotted with an eight of diamonds down his sock, Plomo shot to prominence. Asked by the Athletic for the importance of the props, Plomo said: "It's a little game between us. "There is a lot of pressure on ...
THEY say hard work and talent go a long way, but that is not all the Peruvian national team rely on when going into important games. Since 2015, their very own resident magician has been supporting the squad giving them luck and a sense of relaxation ahead of games. The Peruvian magician gives lucky cards to Peru playersErnesto Carpio-Tirado, a failed amateur footballer who is better known as El Mago Plomo, Ernesto Carpio-Tirado, whose stage name is Plomo, defines himself as a "trickster". He is one of the country's most popular entertainers. Plomo has his own television and radio shows including a showreel that includes clips of him with Ronaldinho and WWE star Paige. It all began in 2015 ahead of the Copa America when he was invited into the team camp to perform for the entire team and staff. Video footage of the display emerged showing many including Newcastle United legend Nolberto Solano in fits of laughter. Over the recent years he has been the team's lucky mascot. Magician Plomo is the Peru team's ...