Bryan Reyna breaks his silence after nearly five months without playing for Universitario

Nearly five months of waiting for this moment. That's what Bryan Reyna had to endure before setting foot on the field again in a Universitario jersey, something that finally happened in the loss to Deportivo Garcilaso in matchday 10 of the 2026 Liga1 Clausura. The last time he'd logged minutes was on May 31, against Sport Huancayo, in the Torneo Apertura. Since then, nothing.

Coach Héctor Cúper decided to give him a spot in the match against the Cusco side, though the result didn't cooperate: the 'merengues' fell decisively. Even so, for Reyna the real story wasn't the scoreline, it was feeling like a soccer player again after so much time watching from the sidelines.

The former Belgrano de Córdoba player held nothing back when asked about his lengthy absence. He made clear that his lack of minutes has nothing to do with any physical issue and that the explanation lies elsewhere.

This is my job. I have to communicate it somehow, because for me this is my job, and if I don't play, where will I be down the road? People outside will wonder, "Why doesn't Bryan play? Why doesn't Bryan play?" It's not a medical issue, nothing like that. Since day one I've been here, I haven't gotten injured. I haven't had a single injury and nothing, it's just preferences.Bryan Reyna

The word "preferences" lingered as the phrase that best summed up his frustration. There's no injury, no physical excuse: he simply hasn't fit into the coach's plans. And while the forward was clear in stating his position, he also made it clear he has no intention of clashing with the coaching staff or opening up a public conflict.

I respect the coach's decision, but all I can do is keep working the way I have been, because believe me, I bust my ass in training. I stand out in practice, but the rest isn't up to me.Bryan Reyna

A system that doesn't favor him

The underlying problem for Reyna has a name and a shape: the 3-5-2 that Cúper uses. In that tactical setup, the only way in for him would be as a second forward, a spot where competition is already plentiful. That's where Lapadula, Valera and Alzugaray are fighting for those same minutes, leaving Reyna with fairly slim room to demand playing time.

For now, getting back on the field against Garcilaso works as a signal, though it remains to be seen whether it marks a real change in plans or was simply a one-off chance. What his comments made clear is that Reyna doesn't intend to stay quiet while he waits for his turn.