The Legacy of Mariano Pernía Continues with Cristiano Pernía’s Arrival

omidbasir- Discussing Mariano Andrés Pernía in Getafe is synonymous with speaking about a true legend. He is regarded as one of the finest players to have graced the Coliseum and continues to evoke smiles among fans when mentioned. His goals, striking ability, and character won over a supporter base that cherishes him as the first player to represent the Spanish national team from their club.

Now, this legacy continues in the southern region of Madrid. The blue-and-white team has secured the services of Cristiano Pernía, the son of the former defender, who recently obtained his federation license and is poised to make his debut under coach Mario Otero in the Juvenil División de Honor.

Cristiano joins from Huracán after spending four seasons developing his skills at one of South America’s most prestigious academies, Boca Juniors. At just 18 years old, he is a right-back (unlike his father) looking to embark on his career in Spain, where his father became an icon.

Cristiano Pernía joins a group of other notable offspring in La Base, including Hugo Solozabal, Martín Cuellar (with whom he sometimes shares the pitch), and Julen Jon Guerrero, who are also part of the youth setup in the southern part of Madrid.

Reaching the heights achieved by his father will not be an easy task. Mariano Pernía left an indelible mark at the Coliseum— a pure left-back whose positional play was straightforward, focusing solely on occupying the left side of the defense. The player, who arrived from Recreativo de Huelva, emerged as a surprising goal scorer. In his second season, he netted an impressive eleven goals, ten of which were in LaLiga—remarkable statistics for a defender.

Many of these goals were extraordinary, such as his strike against Espanyol from his own territory and the stunning volley against FC Barcelona that captured global attention. Cristiano faces considerable challenges with such precedents; however, he now proudly wears the blue-and-white crest, just like his father did.