Juan Ramón Barrera Pérez (born 2 May 1989) is a Nicaraguan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga Primera club Real Esteli and captains the Nicaragua national team.
Nicknamed el Iluminado, he started his professional career at Real EstelÃÂ, then had a couple of seasons at Walter Ferretti. In summer 2011 he moved abroad to play for Panamanian outfit Tauro for whom he would play 8 league matches. In February 2012, he rejoined EstelÃÂ from Tauro.
In 2013, he became the second Nicaraguan footballer to play in a CONMEBOL First Division, when he was sent out on loan to Deportivo Petare of the Venezuelan Primera División for a six-month stint. He rejoined Estelàin summer 2013.
In early March it was announced that Barrera had signed with Austrian first division team SC Rheindorf Altach becoming the first Nicaraguan to play in Europe
On 23 December 2015, Barrera joined Comunicaciones of the Liga Nacional.
Barrera was a part of Comunicaciones until 1 December 2017, in which he announced his farewell from the club through his social media. Barrera appeared in 76 matches, scoring 9 goals.
On 15 January 2018, Barrera announced his new club through social media to be Metropolitanos F.C of the Venezuelan first division. This marks his second stint in the Venezuelan first division, his first being with Deportivo Petare F.C in 2013.
He was a part of Metropolitanos F.C for approximately 5 months.
On 20 June 2018, Barrera announced he signed with Boyacá Chicó F.C of the Colombian league first division.
On 22 July 2018, Barrera got his first start in a 2âÂÂ2 draw when Boyacá Chicó F.C played their first match of the season against Millionarios F.C.
Barrera got his first win with the team on 18 August 2018, when Boyacá Chicó defeated Atlético Junior 2âÂÂ1, with Barrera assisting the winning goal in the 87th minute of the game.
Barrera made his international debut for Nicaragua in January 2009, at the UNCAF Nations Cup match against El Salvador and has, . He has represented his country in 12 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and played at the 2009 and 2011 UNCAF Nations Cups as well as at the 2009, 2017, and 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cups.
Real EstelÃÂ