El Comercio presented Intimos y Eternos on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, at the International Book Fair to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Peruvian football club Alianza Lima. Journalist Daniel San Román edited the publication released under the imprint of El Comercio.
The work compiles the trajectories of 125 players whose contributions shaped the identity of the team. San Román explained that the project originated to preserve institutional memory and connect the club's history with younger generations.
Difference from the 2001 Gold Book
San Román outlined how the new volume differs from the historic Libro de Oro de Alianza, which El Comercio published in 2001. He stated that the 2001 publication offered a chronicle of Alianza Lima's major campaigns, key historical moments, and leading figures based on events.
In contrast, Intimos y Eternos recounts the history of the club through the individuals who built it. The 125 individual profiles describe the historical context of each player, what they represented to their generation, and the legacy they left behind.
San Román noted that the goal was not to single out the best players in club history. Instead, the book demonstrates how 125 footballers helped build Alianza Lima's identity across different eras.
Research and verification challenges
Reconstructing the early decades of Alianza Lima presented the greatest difficulty during the research phase. San Román said that historical records became scarce and conflicting when looking further back into the past.
The editorial team resolved historical doubts by cross-checking period newspapers, archives, photographs, specialized publications, books, and existing research by Alianza Lima historians.
The project also underwent a validation process before release. The Alianza Lima history team reviewed every player profile, date, career trajectory, and historical context. Meanwhile, the photography team at El Comercio verified the authenticity and context of every image, with single photographs or short news items sometimes resolving long-standing questions.
Honoring forgotten club legends
San Román stated that one of the main contributions of the book is restoring visibility to historical players whose achievements faded over time. While modern fans recognize stars such as Teófilo Cubillas, César Cueto, Waldir Sáenz, and Jefferson Farfán, the book highlights earlier figures.
Among those brought back into focus is Julio Rivero, one of the founders of Alianza Lima. The publication also profiles Alberto Montellanos, who played during the club's first four consecutive championship titles.
Other featured figures include Rafael Goyoneche, a key team captain during the 1940s, and Jorge Koochi, a club legend for nearly two decades who later served as head coach after retiring as a player. San Román emphasized that the work honors all players whose contributions built Alianza Lima's identity.
Preserving history in the digital era
Addressing the relevance of a print book in an era dominated by social media and TikTok, San Román said that books remain essential. He noted that while social media excels at sharing current events, print publications are indispensable for understanding origins and preserving history.
San Román said that studying the 125 players revealed that Alianza Lima represents a deep sense of belonging beyond titles and statistics. He added that many players described the club as a family and a home, demonstrating that its greatness lies in the unity built over 125 years.
