A Copa America winner, an El Classico scorer, an Arsenal heart-throb and now a Manchester United loanee, this isn’t the only things about Alexis Sánchez. From being celebrated as one of the next big things at the Camp Nou to scoring for fun for the Gunners to finally switching to Manchester, Alexis Sánchez is a true modern day footballer, shrewd by the head and clinical with his feet. Currently on loan at Inter Milan, Sánchez is one of the highest paid players in the Premier League and looks to revamp his career with the Red Devils come next summer. Here we’ll discuss things you didn’t know about Alexis Sánchez.
Could have been a Miner, if not a Footballer
Born in Tocopilla in Northern Chile, Alexis showed a knack for the beautiful game very early in his childhood. He grew up in a town where mining and fishing were the primary means of livelihood. His brother stressed years later that Alexis would have gone on to be a miner probably if he did not stand out in football. Wouldn’t that be one of those things about Alexis Sánchez, you didn’t want to happen?
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His nickname is ‘dilla’
Alexis Sánchez was quite the climber in his days, one who could get into tight lanes and climb trees to retrieve lost balls during games on the street. Because of his height, he came to be known as ‘dilla’ short for ‘ardilla’ which means squirrel in Spanish. So what do you think is so squirrel about Alexis Sánchez?
Sánchez saved his mother from a hefty fine
Alexis and his siblings had a tough childhood. His father left the family when he was still young and his mother sold fish to run the family. When she was charged for selling fish without a license, the family were pretty sure they were doomed. After all, it was a large amount to pay. Alexis came to the rescue, having only signed for Cobreloa, got his agent Fernando Felicevich to look into the matter. The latter acquired the license and the dues were paid. about Alexis Sánchez?
Once a runner, always a runner
This is perhapes one of the most amazing things about Alexis Sánchez. Sánchez started his European journey in Udinese in Italy. He went out shopping once and left his keys in the city shopping mall. Instead of taking a lift back to the city, the Chile man ran a whooping four miles into the city to recover the lost keys. The running has stayed with him, no doubt, and it terrifies defenders till date.
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A hot and cold relationship with Pep Guardiola
Alexis Sánchez has blown hot and cold with the Spaniard on and off the pitch. While scoring for him in an El Classico remains their highest moment till now, Alexis once said that Pep made him feel like a Ferrari. Guardiola sang high praises of the Chilean but all of that changed when Alexis ignored Pep’s Manchester City and joined city rivals Manchester United instead. Pep must have something lovely to say about Alexis Sánche, Hahaha!
A generous giver
Alexis rose from the depths of poverty to become one of the highest paid players in world football. However, that has not changed his outlook on life as he still believes in giving back to where he came from. Sánchez donates clothes and books to his hometown kids every year, sends them to school and buys his entire hometown gifts. Certainly among the best thing about Alexis Sánchez, his humane side!
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Sánchez is Chile’s all-time highest scorer
Alexis Sánchez started playing really early, representing club sides by the time he was 16, then went on to represent the national team at the tender age of 17 against New Zealand. He has since then gone on to represent Chile at all major competitions and is the highest goal-scorer for them with 39 goals. Love this fact about Alexis Sánchez?
A dog person
Alexis Sánchez is fond of dogs. He has two pet dogs who lived with him in London and now in Manchester. They’re called Atom and Humber. He has got them their own Insta accounts, their personal trainers and brings them to club training often. In fact, while at Arsenal, fans realized how close he was to his dogs and created a unique poster for the ‘Good Boys’. Thus, one of the salient features about Alexis Sánchez, the person is his dogs’ love.
About Alexis Sánchez’s Dream of the Silver Screen
Sánchez has made his intentions pretty clear that he wants to feature in a movie or two after he’s done with his playing career. He loves movies and has worked in multiple ads and campaigns. The Chile star has professed that he would like to play a cool detective or a NASA kid on the big screen once he quits playing. Cheery about Alexis Sánchez? Do you also love silver screen?
His controversy with English football
Sánchez is usually very reserved and keeps to himself when it comes to speaking in the press. Having spent a chunk of his career in England, he got himself embroiled in a row with English players and the FA in 2013 before a Friendly against England. He opined that English players are pampered from a very early age, they’re provided with the best facilities and that they had ‘gone soft’. How do you rate this about Alexis Sánchez?