It was June 2022 when Cristian Hinostroza (@crischasqui), a Sports Journalism student and ‘youtuber’, received an alert from one of his followers about a soccer player with Peruvian roots who had been standing out in Denmark, but who no one knew here. He was named Oliver Sonne Christensen and his biotype were like that of most men born in the Nordic countries: blonde, tall and stocky like a Viking.
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So, Cristian did what any curious person would do: track down Oliver on Google. He thus learned that he was 21 years old and played as a right back for Silkeborg IF of the Danish Superliga. Additionally, he had done some modeling work and was the nephew of Helena Christensen, the supermodel of the nineties. But the most striking thing was his story that linked him to Peru: Elsa, his maternal grandmother, had been born in this wonderful land, but emigrated by boat to northern Europe when he was barely 18 years old.
A few weeks ago, Oliver celebrated with the Peruvian flag, after his team won a match in the Danish league.
Before announcing his discovery, Cristian decided to go further. He contacted Helena herself and she corroborated all the information he had found on the Internet. “I had no idea that my nephew, because he was the grandson of a Peruvian woman, could play for the country.”, account. He was also able to speak briefly with Oliver, who did not hide his surprise upon learning that it was possible to wear the shirt of the Peruvian team, after a nationalization process. “He told me that he was very excited about the possibility.”Add.
The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) learned of Sonne’s existence as soon as the news went viral on Twitter. However, the process for him to be part of the team only began at the beginning of this year.
Oliver was born and raised in the quiet suburb of Karlslunde, southwest of central Copenhagen. Anita Christensen, his mother, motivated him to play soccer since he was little: he played in the minor divisions at Ejby IF Fodbold. He had the option of emigrating to Olympique de Marseille, but decided to start his career as a footballer in Denmark. At the same time, motivated by his aunt Helena, his face was the protagonist of the most important fashion magazines in Europe, such as “Vogue” and “Vanity Fair”.
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In 2021, Oliver signed a contract with his current club: Silkeborg IF. The Danish sports press describes him as a footballer with good footing and who handles both profiles: he controls, drives, passes and crosses with both legs. Until he was 18 he was a mixed midfielder, but then he repositioned himself as a right back, a position that Luis Advíncula has made his own in the Peruvian team.
Sonne has appeared on the covers of Vogue and Vanity Fair and has walked for brands such as Calvin Klein.
“I have always known where I come from, but I had never thought that it was a possibility for me to go to Peru and play for them. “Everything happened very quickly.”Sonne said in an interview with Discovery+. “I spent my childhood and grew up here in Denmark, so I’m mainly Danish. But I must also recognize that in the world of football there are few opportunities, and this is one that I want to take advantage of.”
The coach of the Peruvian team, Juan Reynoso, traveled to Denmark last April to express his desire to have him. Watching some videos of Sonne on the Internet were enough to convince him that he could earn a place on everyone’s team. “Oliver Sonne is something different. Today he gives us the possibility of expanding the universe of players and that is beneficial for us. We want to see how he lives together and how he communicates, we will surely have to speed up the English classes”, Reynoso joked at a press conference. “I think his level reaches it and that’s why he is there; But you still have to see, because he is used to another dynamic of the game.”
Oliver Sonne
A few days ago it was learned that he already had a Peruvian ID and passport, which made him eligible for Peru. “FIFA, according to its own regulations, determines that a player is eligible by his place of birth, but also by the place of birth of one of the parents, of one of the grandparents or by accumulating five years of physical presence in a country. . You only need to meet at least one of those requirements. Sonne qualifies for Peru because of his Peruvian grandmother”Víctor Zaferson, journalist and soccer scout, tells us.
With the documents in order, Oliver Sonne can officially represent the country on the next qualifying date, where we will face the Chilean and Argentine teams. “Sonne arrives at a great moment as a footballer. The national team needs a generational change and his appearance is one of the best news we can receive”, complements Zaferson. From the stands or in front of the television, the fervent Peruvian fan will give him all his support with his sights set on the final goal: qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. //
