Carlos ‘Gullit’ Peña went from earning 25 million pesos at Cruz Azul to play for Antigua GFC in Guatemala

Carlos 'Gullit" Peña' went through one of the best moments of his career at Club León, where he played from 2011 to 2017 in two different stints, after he played a year with Chivas de Guadalajara. There, he scored 52 goals in 188 games and won the Liga MX twice, in 2013 and 2014.

After his time at Guadalajara, the player never recovered his level

The Mexican player also disappointed in his second stage at Club León. The player was not able to show his good performances that gained him a spot in the Mexican national team years before. Caixinha, the Portuguese manager, decided to take him to Scotland to play for the Glasgow Rangers, nevertheless, both the Portuguese and the Mexican did not achieve great performances and left the Scotland team. After a short period at Glasgow Rangers, the midfielder joined Cruz Azul in 2018.

Again, he did not perform well at La Máquina. In part, his poor performance was due to the fact that he liked to go out at night and spend his money at parties. In total, the 31-year-old  played ten games for the Mexican team and did not score any goals or give any assists. Although he was earning 25 million pesos at Cruz Azul, he was not able to establish at the club. 

The next teams where Carlos ‘Gullit’ Peña played with no success were Correcaminos UAT from the Mexican second division, Veracruz and Necaxa. After that, he signed for C.D. FAS from El Salvador where he became champion and finally with Antigua GFC, where he is looking to complete his contract.

‘Gullit’ Peña current situation at Antigua GFC

Carlos 'Gullit' Peña had an outstanding tournament with Antigua GFC of Guatemala, as they finished the regular phase of the Apertura 2021 as leaders; in the playoffs they were eliminated in the semifinals, but the team hopes to continue with the positive pace to once again become a reference in Guatemalan soccer and fight again for the championship.

Regarding the particular case of ‘Gullit’, the Mexican is facing an uncertain future in the club, as he does not know if he will remain in the club, which has already started its preseason for the next semester. ESPN Digital interviewed Carlos Peña's agent, who indicated that the Mexican midfielder is still an Antigua player until the club decides otherwise.

"Until the board does not give a termination or contract rescission, ‘Gullit’ Peña remains a player of Antigua GFC. Until the board does not make a decision, I still consider that 'Gullit' belongs to Antigua GFC. He has a valid contract with the club, we stick to what is stipulated in the contract and if the board does something different, they will pronounce," he said.

The Mexican wants to stay in Guatemala

Finally, Carlos Peña's agent emphasized that the player wants to stay at the club despite having more offers at the moment. "Gullit has had offers from more teams, but he wants to stay at Antigua GFC. He likes the city, he is comfortable with his family and he is happy. The directors are also within their rights to make decisions that protect his interests," he said.

The truth is that 'Gullit' Peña is waiting for the plane tickets to be sent to him to return to Guatemala after the break; or in any case to wait for his termination of contract, as has been pointed out.

Antigua will debut in the 2022 Clausura Tournament next Sunday, January 16, when they host Deportivo Achuapa at the Pensativo Stadium.

Clubs where 'Gullit' Peña has played for

Pachuca (Mexico)

Club León (Mexico)

Chivas de Guadalajara (Mexico)

Rangers FC (Scotland)

Cruz Azul (Mexico)

Correcaminos UAT (Mexico)

Veracruz (Mexico)

Necaxa (Mexico)

C.D. FAS (El Salvador)

Antigua GFC (Guatemala)