The European story of Alexis Sánchez

The very recent winner of the Scudetto with his Inter team is currently leading the transfer window since the contract binding him to the Lombard club comes to an end in January 2022. At thirty-two years old, the brilliant Chilean striker, rarely far from the best shots, continues to fascinate the planet soccer. Many observers still believe him capable of moments of genius of which he alone possesses the secret, year after year.

True local legend in Chile, El Niño Maravilla quickly exported to the old continent, not without an emotional pain, well known to many of the South American gems who discover football away from home every year. While his name comes back with insistence on the side of several leading European clubs, the opportunity is perfect to return to the European history of a unique player of his kind.

First transalpine experience

In the 2000s, the clubUdinese already knew the values ​​that are still attributed to it to this day. Thanks to a unique recruitment network, the Italian club has got into the habit of finding real talents and bringing them to life in the eyes of Europe. In 2006, Sánchez will become one of them.

It is in Udine that Sánchez explodes in the eyes of the football world. Photo by Pixabay, CC0

Loaned on the American continent (Colo-Colo then River Plate) during the first two seasons, Sánchez began his real Italian adventure in 2008. Three full seasons and renowned performances quickly allowed him to be courted by the greatest in Europe. It is finally Barça which obtains the favors of the one elected in July 2011, best hope of world football.

Unique mental strength

He never gives up and does not believe in any way that he is overwhelmed by the sporting events that arise in front of him. Alexis Sánchez has proven for three years at Barça, his capacity for resilience and a unique mental strength. Constantly repositioned, faced with competition, especially on the arrival of Neymar during his last season, the Chilean will have made the greatest happiness of his coaches Pep Guardiola, the late Tito Vilanova then Aunty Martino. With immense statistical lines despite a minor role and not necessarily up to his ambitions, Sánchez ends up expressing his desire for elsewhere. A goodbye to the Latin world in which he felt so good and a drastic change awaited him with a departure for England.

King of London

As fast as he is on the pitch, nothing can substitute for the speed at which the attacker has entered the hearts of the locals at Arsenal. At a time when fans naturally populated football stadiums, Sánchez had, in just a few matches, become the king of London.

For a long time, supporters stood up for Sánchez at the Emirates Stadium. Photo by Pixabay, CC0

In four seasons at the Emirates Stadium, he marked the new era of the club, undoubtedly becoming one of the “darlings” of Arsène Wenger. One hundred and sixty-six matches played and a total of eighty goals scored and forty-one assists delivered will mark the statistical contribution of the South American on the London side. But such lines will never take away the heartbreak experienced by Gunners fans, as strong as their love for the player and the man.

Disappointment in Manchester

Announced with great fanfare and almost « stolen » (during the season) by United To Arsenal Like Robin Van Persie’s transfer a few years earlier, Alexis Sánchez had his first major European disappointment in the north of England. Probably to the delight of supporters ofArsenal, in their majority, always weary of such a transfer. A season and a half spent on the side of Red devils, haloed with only five goals and quickly pushing him to change tune. An almost natural return to basics when theInter inquired of their Mancunian counterparts.

National champion, for a first since 2013

Quietly, the Chilean international finds a Latin atmosphere that he no longer knew during his visit to the north of England. A playful and sentimentally obligatory setting for his happiness and performance. Strong face of the attack nerazzurri, he actively participates in the gain of Scudetto, a first since 2013 for him, since 2010 for the club.